Plans Filed for Green-Veiled Gabba Build-to-Rent Tower

Plans for a 12-storey build-to-rent apartment tower draped with a “green veil” have been filed for a site opposite a Brisbane shopping centre and close to one of the city’s major hospitals.

The proposal comprises 130 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including 15 units designed to cater for residents with disability.

It has been lodged on behalf of Stalcaire Pty Ltd, an entity linked to local businessman Ray Armitage.

“The proposal is for an integrated residential outcome, comprising a build-to-rent product inclusive of NDIS-compatible units,” the development application said.

“The diversity of these apartments provides considerable social benefits to the community.”

Among the benefits cited by the DA were the provision of increased opportunities for social interaction and inclusion between different user groups, the potential for onsite care and support by family members, the opportunity for increased independence and enhanced quality of life.

The application proposes a flexible approach to the accessible units “such that they could either be used for NDIS recipients or as mainstream multiple dwelling units”.

▲ Render of the proposed 12-storey build-to-rent tower at Woolloongabba.
 

Earmarked for a site spanning 2026sq m across three lots at 62-68 Carl Street, Wooloongabba, the proposed build-to-rent tower would be across the road from Buranda Village shopping centre, close to the Princess Alexandra Hospital and just south of the Gabba stadium precinct, which will be home to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

The plans also comprise 510sq m of communal space, including a rooftop garden. As well, there would be 167 carparking spaces. 

“The development is well-timed in terms of other approvals and infrastructure works in the vicinity, including the Buranda Village redevelopment, Hanlon Park redevelopment and, further afield, the recent announcements relating to the plans for the Gabba stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” a submitted planning assessment report said.

“The applicant intends to hold the land for an extended period of time, thereby supporting the proposed build-to-rent accommodation model.

“Given the applicant’s long-term aspirations their overarching goal is to develop and maintain an outcome that ensures a great sense of community is delivered, well supported and strengthened over time.”

The Cottee Parker-designed scheme is for a tower elevated on columns to provide an open landscaped ground level and visual urban marker.

“The building has been carefully curated and considered and the design provides several key benefits to the local community,” the development application said.

“The landscape design extends the public realm under the building and provides opportunities for shaded communal breakout spaces for residents.”

▲ Render of the proposed 12-storey build-to-rent tower at Woolloongabba.

The tower’s facade also would integrate significant vertical landscaping providing “a green veil that trails down the building and responds to the sub-tropical Brisbane environment”. 

The development aims to respond to Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate, and deliver a clean and sustainable building with the incorporation of solar panels, rainwater tanks. Other energy-efficient best practices also have been incorporated into the tower design to “deliver a clean and sustainable building”.

Other existing and approved developments surrounding the Carl Street site range in scale from eight to 13 storeys.

Opposite the proposed development, retail giant Vicinity Centres was recently given the green light for a $750-million transformation of the Buranda Village shopping centre, a multi-staged project including four towers up to 15 storeys with 627 apartments and three commercial towers.