Developers Find Sweet Spot in Qld Missing Middle

It’s the so-called “missing middle” of residential development. But a steady stream of townhouse development proposals—in south-east Queensland, at least—indicate a rising number of developers are finding it to be a sweet spot. In the quest for affordability, the two or three-storey attached housing typology has been referred to as the “Goldilocks option” between traditional house-and-land and highrise living. And for many developers facing the prevailing construction headwinds, if the site is right it clearly stacks up. In Brisbane, among the most recent proposals is a three-storey development comprising six three-bedroom townhouses at Greenslopes on the city’s southside. It is earmarked for a 773sq m infill site at 111 Denman Street, which property records show changed hands in April for $1.75 million. The application has been filed under an entity that lists Brisbane office park pioneer Bill Henderson as one of its directors. ▲ A render of the Greenslopes proposal for six three-bedroom townhouses. It has been designed by Wiltshire Stevens Architects, which was also tapped by Henderson’s OPD to draw up the scheme for a six-storey mixed-use commercial building capped with a rooftop pool deck proposed for a nearby site at Greenslopes. The design reflects the contemporary approaches to townhouse architecture being explored across many new projects. “The proposed development is well designed, taking into account the site context and surrounding urban context,” a planning report said. According to the documents, as well as providing a high quality architectural and landscaped outcome, the infill development would also create further housing choice and supply that “meets the needs of young families, older downsizers, and key workers” in a well-located part of the city. On the Gold Coast, there also has been a rising tide of townhouse development applications. ▲ A render of the Broadbeach Waters townhouse proposal with canal frontage. Five luxury four-bedroom townhouses with canal frontage were greenlit in September for a 2003sq m site at 71 TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach Waters. But, subsequently, revised plans have been filed to increase the approved height from two to three storeys, enabling the addition of a roof terrace—featuring a mix of open areas for lounging and entertainment—to each of the townhouses. “The terrace will provide additional private outdoor space for residents, enhancing the liveability of the units while taking advantage of the location's views,” the application said. Under the BSD-designed scheme, the townhouses feature ground floor and open planned living arrangements with dining, living and kitchen areas flowing to large alfresco living spaces and gardens with private swimming pools. “The proposal will considerably improve the quality and amenity of the site and will contribute to the range of luxury houses in this pocket of Broadbeach Water,” the documents said. Adding to the region’s growing pipeline, a proposal was filed this week for eight three-bedroom townhouses at the northern end of the Gold Coast. ▲ A render of the proposal at Paradise Point comprising eight townhouses of three bedrooms apiece. It is earmarked for a 1012sq m site at 7-9 Bruce Avenue, Paradise Point, which was acquired by Blue Paradise Holdings in February for $2.6 million. The three-storey scheme has been designed by architecture studio Smek. “Paradise Point is currently transitioning from underdeveloped building forms to higher density development outcomes that are more reflective of the area’s characteristics,” a planning report said. “The proposed development is consistent with this emerging pattern of development.”

Developers Find Sweet Spot in Qld Missing Middle

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