Brisbane's equal-tallest building set for approval
Brisbane’s building height limit could be tested to its limits for the third time if a new high-rise, set to be approved by council, gets off the ground.
Two buildings – the under-construction Skytower and 240 Margaret Street – have already gained Brisbane City Council approval to be built to the city’s 274-metre limit.
Aria Property Group’s plan to add another tower to those lofty heights is set to be approved by the council next week.
Located on the corner of Edward and Elizabeth streets, near St Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral, the 82-storey gold-coloured tower will go through the council’s city planning committee on Tuesday morning before receiving the final tick of approval at next week’s full council meeting.
On Monday evening city planning chairman Julian Simmonds gave every indication the Liberal National Party administration would support the development application given its location on its planned Edward Street quality shopping precinct.
“The developer will be required to upgrade the Edward Street frontage streetscape as part of the vibrant boulevard that council is developing along Edward Street between Queen Street and Charlotte Street,” he said in a written statement.
The council planned to spend $11.4 million on that project and Cr Simmonds said construction was expected to begin within weeks.
“Council’s Edward Street revitalisation will include creative lighting, new public art and other place-making initiatives along the length of Edward Street,” he said.
Cr Simmonds said Aria’s proposal would be a “place-making development” for Edward Street.
“(It will encompass the) existing ground floor retail area that is currently occupied by Hermes, while adding two levels of office space and 642 residential units,” he said.
“The $270 million Aria Property Group development will be built above the existing facade, with 82 storeys up to 274 metres, equalling the maximum height allowable for CBD buildings.”
If built, the project will include 313 one-bedroom apartments, 219 two-bedroom apartments and 110 three-bedroom apartments, with balconies up to level 40.
A multi-level car stacker – one of the first to be built in Brisbane according to Cr Simmonds – would accommodate 380 cars.
Cr Simmonds said the development would create 950 jobs during construction.
“The tower is encased with a gold glass feature, adding to the striking design, which builds an innovative platform to showcase our city’s most high-end retail tenancies, including Hermes, Mont Blanc, Rolex and Max Mara,” he said.
While two 274-metre buildings already had approval, the under-construction 1 William Street “Tower of Power” was Brisbane’s tallest existing tower, topping out at 260 metres.
Meriton’s two residential towers, Infinity (249 metres) and Soleil (243 metres) come in at two and three, although they appeared taller on the skyline due to the CBD’s topography.
The council has been in negotiation with aviation authorities to have its 274-metre limit increased, although Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said last year the current height limit was “probably meeting our needs” for now.
