Pradella lodge plans for new Rothelowman-designed, South Brisbane apartment development
Just as Expo ’88 left an indelible legacy for Brisbane in the form of South Bank, the 2032 Olympics are set to unlock the potential of Kurilpa and South Brisbane.
Post-games, it's envisioned that the intersection of Peel, Boundary and Manning Streets will become a landmark at the heart of a highly liveable subtropical residential precinct, with strong pedestrian connections through to the river and parklands, cultural facilities, retail and hospitality villages.
Queensland developer Pradella is looking to take advantage of the expected boom, lodging plans for a 23-storey tower across an amalgamated site at 37-39 Boundary Street, South Brisbane. They secured the adjoining commercial office sites in late 2020, for a combined $7.5 million.
Render of the South Brisbane tower. Credit: Rothelowman
A mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments will be developed, in addition to one four-bedroom penthouse, designed by renowned architecture firm Rothelowman.
The site occupies a significant location, along the natural desire line connecting key South Brisbane and West End precincts to the anticipated South Bank 2.0 through a future cross-block link and potential extension of Oxford Street.
The large industrial land parcels located behind the site are also expected to evolve into a finer grain street and pedestrian network, which will support an intensification of land use and a transition towards a vibrant inner-city neighbourhood. This vision has been further supported by recent announcements by the Queensland Government regarding the acquisition of riverfront industrial land as part of preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The proposal also makes a significant civic contribution at the Boundary Street interface, marking the location with a grand forecourt, feature screening, deep tree planting, and overhead landscaping. The entry forecourt, future laneway, and cascading planting to the rear combine to site the building within a lush garden setting on three sides.
The design of the tower aims to shape view lines while maintaining privacy both into and out of adjacent buildings. The façade is staggered to give central plate residences views past the building itself, with external walls, columns, and screens flared to craft views away from existing buildings and toward long vistas.
Render of the South Brisbane tower. Credit: Rothelowman
The newly developed building features a reduced podium size, strategically designed to maximise the influx of natural sunlight and create a welcoming open space at the ground level.
The design aims to promote a permeable connection within the block, which is enhanced by the generous use of glazing to each unit, catering to the need for privacy and shading. The building also incorporates large sliding doors and multiple operable windows, allowing for optimal airflow.
As the tower grows taller than its direct neighbours, the length of certain blades is diminished, opening the residences to more daylight and creating a dynamic, shifting facade, resulting in a robust, articulated, and sculptural form.
Crowning the tower will be a communal rooftop terrace, offering extensive indoor and outdoor amenities that take advantage of Brisbane's subtropical climate. The civic nature of the building continues to its roof in the form of The Longhouse, a legible and distinct architectural crown set within a lush landscape, acting as a distinct landmark for the South Brisbane skyline.
Landscaped terraces climb the rear of the tower while cascading plants hang overhead the entry forecourt.
Render of the rooftop terrace crowning the South Brisbane tower. Credit: Rothelowman
The lobby of the tower has also been designed to ensure activated uses, with a work-from-home area, an on-site management office and a resident's lounge planned for the space.
South Brisbane and West End have long been desirable inner-city residential precincts, with a recent focus on improving connectivity to other areas within the city.
Linkages between Brisbane CBD, Southbank, Cultural Centre, and West End/Davies Park have been established and enhanced with various new and improved river crossings, such as the Go Between Bridge, Kurilpa Bridge, pedestrianised Victoria Bridge, and Neville Bonner Bridge, alongside improved pedestrian streetscape amenity, and streets and laneways, including Fish Lane, Melbourne St, and Russell Lane.