Southport CBD Tower Plans Trade Height, Density for Feasibility

Brisbane-based entity Southport Star—led by listed director Nuo Ya Ding—is behind the latest plans for the vacant 1864sq m site spanning five lots with frontages to Scarborough and White streets as well as Owens Lane.

Property records indicate the holding, which sits within the Southport Priority Development Area, last changed hands in 2018 for $6.88 million.

According to a planning report prepared by Zone Planning Group, the proposed development trades the highrise density of the previously greenlit 9-storey and 32 storey towers for buildability and construction feasibility.

“The intent of the proposal is to deliver an attractive highrise development which supports the provision of additional housing supply and diversity for the local area,” it said.

“The proposal has been designed to allow for the timely and feasible delivery of the apartment project.

“A key aspect of the proposal’s feasibility relates to the ability of the development to accommodate its supply of car parking across two storeys of podium—negating the need to provide a basement.

“Such an outcome has a substantial impact on the project’s viability and will ensure the price point of the units for future residents remains affordable.”

Tower’s market identified

Designed by TVS Architects, the 36m-high tower would accommodate an owner-occupier and downsizer-skewed mix of 52 two-bedroom, 10 three-bedroom apartments and two double-storey penthouses.

A rooftop communal area would include a landscaped barbecue area, dining and lounge terraces, a gymnasium, plunge pool and spa.

The proposal also includes a 65sq m commercial tenancy on the ground floor. 

Across the proposed tower’s two-level podium, parking would be provided for 85 vehicles—77 resident bays, seven visitor spaces and one commercial bay.

“This development will act as a catalyst for the immediate area and promote further quality development outcomes for the area,” the planning documents said.

“The proposed development is a quality example of an attractive and affordable, mixed-use highrise, which is consistent with the aspirations of the PDA.”

In recent months, there has been renewed development momentum in the Southport CBD.

On its fringe, another highrise proposal has been lodged for a 1214sq m site at 4-6 Oban Lane. Under the plans submitted by Brisbane-based developer Karam Group, a fibro cottage and single-storey workshop would make way for a 13-storey tower comprising 81 apartments.

Nearby, double-tower plans have been filed by Sydney-based Oxford Crown Group comprising 509 apartments across two sculptural towers rising 53 and 46 storeys.

It is earmarked for an amalgamated 6059sq m corner holding across 15 lots at 2–12 Scarborough Street, 45–51 Queen Street and 4 Owens Lane.

Meanwhile, Odus Property Group has pitched plans for a 40-storey apartment tower that would deliver 316 apartments rising from an amalgamated 2032sq m corner site at 74-80 Marine Parade and 4 Welch Street.