Wee Hur Remixes $400m Buranda Masterplan

Mixed-use developer Wee Hur has resubmitted plans for the second stage of its $400-million masterplanned transit-oriented-development at Buranda in Brisbane’s inner south.

The revised plans have carved out the aged-care component of the vertical community in favour of a second commercial building, and reduced the number of one-bedroom apartments for a larger three bedroom contingent.

Wee Hur general manager Peter Scott said the revised plan would provide improved pedestrian connectivity and streetscape for the site, after a second visit to the Independent Design Advisory Panel.

“We got their feedback on our revised plans, which was even better than the previous one,” Scott said.

“We’ve updated the ground plane and strengthened the pedestrian connectivity through the site. The new plans also give back a big parcel of land for resumption for future road widening.

“The aged-care competent has been scraped out for a second commercial building, they’re not big changes in terms of GFA.”

▲ The remixed masterplan features multiple high-rise buildings accommodating apartments, commercial space and student housing.

The number of apartments in the residential tower has decreased to accommodate the increased number of three-bedroom apartments, which Scott said was reflective of demand in the market. 

“We see an opportunity in trying to service the local community of downsizers and international travellers, which we think could free up some of the housing stock in inner-city Brisbane.”

Scott said subject to Brisbane City Council approval they would like to break ground as soon as possible, but construction and pricing was very challenging. 

Wee Hur acquired the approved three-stage Buranda transit-orientated development site in 2014. The developer made its first foray into the purpose-built student accommodation sector at Buranda with a 1578-bed development, which opened in 2019. 

▲ The revised plans by Woods Bagot feature greater pedestrian connectivity through the site and a more activated ground plane.

Initial plans for stage two of the Buranda transit-orientated development included a 28-storey apartment tower, 26-storey student tower, seven-storey aged-care facility and commercial building near the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The 1.94ha site is made up of 45 land parcels next to the busway, train station and highway at 1 Gillingham Street, Woolloongabba.

Scott said the Singaporean-listed developer remained bullish about the student accommodation sector, and said occupancy was back to pre-Covid levels.