Forme 75-85 James Street in New Farm


<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p>Local developer Forme has lodged plans for a mixed-use precinct in Fortitude Valley’s up-market James Street precinct, a few kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD.</p><p>The 2600sq m site, an amalgamation of a collection of low-rise residential properties between 75 and 85 James Street, will be redeveloped into a new office, retail and dining complex.</p><p>The proposed 5-level commercial building will include eleven ground floor retail tenancies targeted at “high-end” fashion brands, health and wellbeing as well as restaurants and cafes.</p><p>The 6100sq m building will feature a central piazza and arcade linking James Street and Southwick Lane at the rear of the building.</p><p>The development will sit above three levels of basement car parking for 145 cars and end-of-trip facilities which will be accessed via Harcourt Street. </p><p>It marks a quick turnaround for the developer after picking up the first portion of the site, 75 and 77 James Street, in June 2020 for a combined $2.8 million before moving on 85 James Street in November, outlaying $3.4 million.</p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/e5bc91bf-b7f6-4367-ba0d-22e7a193a8c7.jpg" width="960"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ The building&#x27;s piazza will include stair access to larger retail, wellness and hospitality tenancies on level one. Image: Richards and Spence</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>Soon after, Forme directors David Calvisi and Byron Griffith approached the owner of 79 James Street, the largest portion and centrepiece of the site.</p><p>The private owner, who built and held the low-rise apartment building, decided to sell the property after Forme matched an offer made by a rival developer intending to redevelop the property into a Coles supermarket.</p><p>All three pre-1911 homes, at ​​75 and 77 James Street and 228 Harcourt Street, will be relocated while the apartment and dining complex will be demolished.</p><p>Calvisi and Griffith told <em>The Urban Developer</em> the proposed development ​​would “extend the vibrant and recognised retail strip” which currently featured over 130 specialty stores, including high-end boutiques such as Scanlan Theodore, Sass &amp; Bide and Calexico, as well as top restaurants and bars.</p><p>“James Street is a neighbourhood precinct which has reached national acclaim for the vitality of its retail and hospitality offering, however, the precinct stops dead at Arthur Street,” Griffith said.</p><p>“Expanding along its namesake, the precinct has evolved by natural progression to include two hotels and a myriad of small commercial tenancies.”</p><p>“We have now managed to unlock a site which can extend the commercial and retail strip into what we are candidly calling ‘James Street east’ and, if realised, would be built on one of the street’s last remaining commercially-zoned sites,” Calvisi said.</p><p>“We are proposing a prime mixed-use endeavour to continue the fine grain tenancies synonymous with the precinct while supplying much needed small to medium office space.”</p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/8b2db95a-a218-4fc2-8a45-72253e13e281.jpg" width="960"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ The building will be topped with a rooftop terrace with views across to the Storey Bridge and Brisbane river. Image: Richards and Spence</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>The sought-after precinct currently has zero vacancy for office and retail tenancies. </p><p>Richards and Spence, the Brisbane-based architecture firm behind the broader James Street precinct, including the 175-room, 5-star Calile Hotel and James Street Market has been enlisted by Forme to design the office precinct.</p><p>Calvisi and Griffith said they had been in close contact with brothers Cal and Michael Malouf, the developers responsible for The Calile, to discuss the opportunity to create additional retail and office tenancies along James Street, a mix they had “fine-tuned” while managing the strip. </p><p>Over the years, the Maloufs have guarded against unhealthy competition and retail cannibalisation at James Street, opting for quality over rental quantity.</p><p>The family has also promoted home-grown and Australian stores and designers, rather than globally recognised brands.</p><p>“We want to provide for the community and ensure that our development is a continuum of James Street and has lots of public space to draw people into a new and thriving retail destination,” Calvisi said.</p><p>“We intend on holding onto this asset for a long time and we feel like we are staying true to what has kept James Street such an exclusive and unrepeatable location. </p><p>“For us, this development will be a generational asset, and working with Richards and Spence has allowed us to deliver on our broader vision.”</p><p>On the Gold Coast, Forme has wrapped up construction on <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/gold-coast-apartment-property-development-undersupply">Norfolk</a>—a 10-level residential building of just 15 apartments on Goodwin Terrace in Burleigh Heads, designed by architect Koichi Takada.</p><p>The project achieved $73 million in pre-sales for its 15 apartments and in January had its two-level five-bedroom beach house with pool snapped up for $6.2 million by prominent local entrepreneurs and philanthropists Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles, while the penthouse was bought for $9 million.</p><p>On a neighbouring site Forme has sold out all eight full–floor residences of its under construction Luna development, designed by Plus Architecture and Mim Design, for a combined $37 million. </p><p>Meanwhile, at <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/burleigh-beachside-development-forme">96 The Esplanade</a>, Forme has plans for a $107 million, Koichi Takada-designed, 18-storey apartment tower, dubbed SEA.</p><p>That 1000sq m site, which was amalgamated by Forme over six months, is currently home to a low-rise unit block. It is directly across the road from beachfront parklands.</p></div></div></div></div></div>

      Forme has lodged plans for a mixed-use precinct in Fortitude Valley’s up-market James Street precinct, a few kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD...

87df74fa-4b17-43b2-89db-69f924426e6b

<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p>Super fund developer Cbus Property has lodged plans for a $600 million commercial development in Brisbane&#x27;s fast-growing North Quarter precinct.</p><p>Plans have been put forward for a 37-storey A-grade office tower at 205 North Quay, designed by Hassell, New York-based REX and Brisbane’s Richards &amp; Spence following an international <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/cbus-nielsen-announce-architect-shortlist-for-205-north-quay">design competition</a>.</p><p>The winning design beat out submissions from three other shortlisted teams including Cox Architecture, SOM and Rapt Studio; BVN and Shop Architects; and Architectus and Woha.</p><p>The construction super fund’s property arm has partnered with local group Nielson Properties and the Raniga family to develop the 50,000sq m office project across a 3,000sq m corner site at the southern end of Brisbane’s CBD.</p><p>Nielson Properties, led by property developer Ross Nielson, amalgamated the riverfront site which includes neighbouring properties at 30 Herschel Street and 205 North Quay.</p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/8d14a841-df34-46c5-8297-6994d027e06c.jpg" width="960"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ The tower&#x27;s proposed design will feature deep overhangs, multi-level cross-ventilation and shade-giving plantings maximise the use of external, public places in all weather conditions. Image: Hassell, REX, Richards &amp; Spence</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>The proposed development aims to be reactive to the current health crisis with Cbus chief executive Adrian Pozzo stating the project would be a “holistic workplace with wellbeing its core priority”.</p><p>“At 205 North Quay, we have a unique opportunity to create a building and set of spaces that are uniquely positioned to blaze a trail for healthy buildings and their potential,” Pozzo said.</p><p>Pozzo noted there had been a renewed focus on exceeding council’s ‘Buildings that Breathe’ guidelines, with the impacts of Covid-19 increasing the importance of mental and physical health.</p><p>It will also feature an entire floor dedicated to wellness facilities, 25-metre lap pool, childcare facilities, a public realm auditorium and outdoor terraces on each level.</p><p>Cbus is also implementing sustainable practices across the project, targeting a 6 Green Star rating and 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating.</p><p>To meet these goals the building&#x27;s form will reduce energy, waste and water usage, control midday, afternoon and early evening sun through its articulated facade and incorporate LED lights and sensors and use regenerative lifts.</p><p>The proposed tower will now add to the continued regeneration of the burgeoning North Quarter precinct, joining Mirvac’s <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/mirvac-continues-office-push-breaking-ground-on-brisbanes-healthiest-tower">80 Ann Street</a> tower which will be tenanted by Suncorp, Shayher Group’s 300 George Street project and the recently completed W Hotel on George Street.</p><p>Its proximity to Brisbane’s new Grand Central station on Roma Street, <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbanes-largest-demolition-commences">under construction</a> Cross River Rail and proposed <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-live-aeg-ogden-cross-river-rail">Brisbane Live</a> entertainment venue, is expected to be a drawcard for prospective tenants.</p><p>Cbus Property is no stranger to Brisbane, after developing the state government&#x27;s $650 million executive building at 1 William Street in 2016.</p><p>If approved, its North Quay development will move ahead with a construction timeline concluding in 2023.</p></div></div></div></div></div>

Super fund developer Cbus property has lodged plans for a $600 million commercial development in Brisbane's fast-growing North Quarter precinct.

5cba7935-a736-4151-88f4-e2714f875e53

<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p>Cbus Property has released an architect shortlist peppered with international firms for the design of a $600 million office tower in Brisbane’s North Quay. </p><p>The construction super fund’s property arm has <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/cbus-property-and-nielson-properties-plan-600m-brisbane-tower">partnered with local group</a> Nielson Properties to develop a 50,000sq m office project at 205 North Quay at the southern end of Brisbane’s CBD.</p><p>The four design partnerships — BVN and <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/i-dont-see-work-and-life-as-two-separate-things-bill-sharples-talks-shop-">Shop</a>; Architectus and Woha; Cox, SOM and Rapt Studio; and Hassell, Rex and Richards &amp; Spence — will compete in a competition for <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/cbus-property-and-nielson-properties-plan-600m-brisbane-tower">205 North Quay</a>, with the successful team appointed in September. </p><p>The teams will produce a concept design for the A-grade office tower that capitalises on the waterfront location and transforms the CBD precinct, according to press issued by Cbus Property.</p><p>The skyscraper will add 50,000sq m to Brisbane’s office market, which has seen vacancy rates fall to the <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-reaches-lowest-vacancy-in-five-years">lowest levels</a> since 2013. </p><p>Increasing demand for A-grade assets has led to a surge of development — with construction currently under way at the<a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/rio-dumps-landlord-for-new-brisbane-digs"> Rio Tinto-anchored</a> Midtown Centre, <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/mirvac-launches-750m-placement-for-development-pipeline">Mirvac’s</a> 80 Ann Street, Shayher Group’s 300 George and Dexus’ 12 Creek Street. </p><p>Brisbane group Marquette has started work on <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-cbd-tower-approved-for-25m-repositioning-play-">transforming</a> a tired Edward Street tower into an A-grade office asset after securing a large <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/heitman-marquette-lock-in-major-brisbane-office-sale-value-add-deal-generates-40m-in-uplift-for-heitman">anchor tenant</a> and tapping BVN to help refurbish the 28-storey building. </p><p>The project is Cbus’ second office development in Brisbane after delivering the controversial “tower of power” for Queensland more than 7,500 public servants in 2016. </p><p>Related: <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/architects-put-nsw-government-on-notice-after-powerhouse-announcement-">Architects Put Government ‘On Notice’ for Favouring Foreign Firms</a></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/5cbeaa59-8f33-4c97-ab0e-539e7456a0b0.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8"> ▲ The super fund adorned the Campbell Newton-era 1 William Street tower with a giant placard last year.  </span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>Nielson Properties owns the 3,000sq m site, which it amalgamated from 30 Herschel Street and 205 North Quay.</p><p>Property records show the local developer acquired North Quay in 2002 and Herschel Street in 2005, paying $7.25 million and $5 million respectively.</p><p>“[The site] is ideally located to capitalise on the major infrastructure projects nearby such as the recently announced Roma Street Station, Brisbane Metro, Cross River Rail and Brisbane Live,” Cbus Property chief executive Adrian Pozzo said. </p><p>The 205 North Quay tower is set to add to the rapid regeneration of Brisbane’s north quarter precinct, neighbouring Shayher Group’s under construction 300 George and recently-completed W Hotel. </p><p>Pozzo said that the competition attracted strong interest from local and international architecture firms.</p><p>“Brisbane is a new world city and we plan to partner with the world’s best architects.</p><p>“The site provides an unrivalled opportunity to establish the innovative workplace of the future and create a new commercial building of inspiring architecture that will represent the new world of work.”</p><p>The property council’s latest office market report recorded a slight 1 per cent <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-reaches-lowest-vacancy-in-five-years">decline</a> in Brisbane CBD vacancy rates over the first half of 2019.</p><p>PCA Queensland director Chris Mountford said that the market has experienced increasing demand for A-grade assets over the first half of the year.</p><p>“The Brisbane office market is clearly in the midst of a good recovery, with confidence that demand will continue to grow and strong investment under way in new office projects,” Mountford said.</p><p>The 205 North Quay office project is slated for completion in 2023.</p></div></div></div></div></div>

Cbus Property has released an architect shortlist peppered with international firms for the design of a $600 million office tower. 

AMP Capital and Sunsuper gain approval to build a 14-storey commercial tower near the Brisbane River as part of its Milton Green precinct on Coronation Drive.

<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p>AMP Capital plans to build a 14-storey commercial tower near the Brisbane River as part of the Milton Green precinct on Coronation Drive.</p><p>The recently-approved plans for Milton Green Building 7 add a new office tower to the 1.3ha inner-city site at 6, 12 and 18 Little Cribb Street, Milton.</p><p>It is part of the larger four-hectare precinct formerly known as Coronation Drive Office Park with six A-grade commercial towers and several smaller buildings jointly owned by AMP Capital Funds Management and Sunsuper.</p><p>The design by Hassell and Richards &amp; Spence adds a “more contemporary and subtropical” design to the previously approved 2012 plans.</p><p></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/63e92ac6-d1f0-4cf6-8b6b-a61c01b8dfc4.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ AMP Capital and Sunsuper own the the Milton Green precinct located between Coronation Drive and Milton Road. Image: Nearmap</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>Two extra storeys were added to the design to accommodate a pre-committed tenant’s requirements for “campus style facilities”. </p><p>Despite added levels, the commercial space will be slightly reduced to 29,530sq m and retail to 320sq m with large end of trip facilities to be built on the ground floor taking advantage of employees using the Bicentennial Bikeway.</p><p>The multi-level carpark and child care centre on the site will be retained while a tennis court will be transformed into an urban common area. </p><p>Related: <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/895-ann-st">Office Build Bucking the Trend in Brisbane’s Fringe</a></p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/0e96b135-48c6-4573-863d-01be49fbe2be.jpg" width="800"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ The 2012 approved plans for Milton Green formerly known as Coronation Drive Office Park. Image: Hassell</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>“AMP Capital’s continued engagement and commitment to transform a commercial office park that once reflected values of an era past into an active and vibrant and green village neighbourhood,” the application said.</p><p>“Establishing four new activated and covered pedestrian axis that is alive with multiple offerings, this project will be a catalyst for future development of adjacent sites and establish a new streetscape identity for the precinct.”</p><p>The Milton plans are are the latest in a wave of development <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-approves-waterfront-developments">approvals </a>by Brisbane City Council along the river.</p><p></p></div></div></div></div></div>

AMP Capital plans to build a 14-storey commercial tower near the Brisbane River as part of the Milton Green precinct on Coronation Drive...

b34818b4-0146-491d-a420-1f22baf2ed59

<div class="row" data-reactroot=""><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p>Fish Lane Town Square has tipped out competition from China and the US to win an international award for landscape architecture.</p><p>The transformation of the disused car park in South Brisbane into a thriving urban landscape captured the attention of the judging panel to win the Built Urban Design category of the World Landscape Architecture awards. </p><p>The project, a collaboration between RPS, Aria Property Group and Richards and Spence Architects, garnered global design praise that RPS executive director for place and environment Susan Farr said showed forgotten and disused spaces could be returned to the community.</p><p>“Fish Lane Town Square is an immersive sub-tropical oasis in the heart of South Bank. Before this transformation it was a fenced-off space you would walk past and not look twice at ... now, it’s a place that truly draws you in,” she said.</p><p>“Fish Lane is a perfect example of the opportunities we have to transform forgotten, under-utilised ‘dead space’ into places that the community can enjoy. </p><p>“I’m really proud that our team has been recognised on the global stage for pushing the envelope of placemaking.”</p></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><div><picture><img src="https://tud-prod-tudmedia-oj9w2zshuo0o.s3.amazonaws.com/raw/images/02b7864a-4ee5-42df-a1b5-de18459657d4.png" width="800"/></picture><div><span style="align-content:center;opacity:0.8">▲ A disused car park space under a rail bridge has been converted into a hospitality hot spot in South Brisbane&#x27;s Fish Lane precinct. Image: Scott Burrows Photography</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="row ci"><div class="cell cs12 cx12"><div class="ci cl"><p><br>There were more than 400 submissions for the awards that promote the work of landscape architects globally.</p><p>The planting design for the Fish Lane project was quintessentially Brisbane, including tree ferns and Australian fan palms with an under-storey of native and exotic species chosen to suit the site’s microclimate. </p><p>According to an RPS spokeswoman the design process began in 2017 as part of collaborative discussions with Brisbane City Council, Queensland Rail and other stakeholders. </p><p>“The result is a lush and vibrant public space offering for the community,” she said.</p><p>“The project benefits the Brisbane community while at the same time encouraging and fostering business opportunities for local retailers who now have high visibility shopfronts and public areas of interaction that create a sense of local community.</p><p>“During the design process there were definitely moments when we knew the space would be something special that Brisbane could showcase on the world stage.”</p></div></div></div></div></div>

Fish Lane Town Square has tipped out competition from China and the United States to take out an international award for landscape architecture...

RICHARDS & SPENCE