Ecco Apartments & 70-78 Victoria St, West End

Yes I respect AKWENDER MAY 21, 2014 views, but unlike her views mine is based on rational thoughts and actually getting into the community to see what is around the area.

As how can a Social Planner who supposed to achieve best result for all parties involved, embrace West End changing for the worse especially rentals are getting higher, when there is money to be made Council WON’T limited the medium and high density living, very poor planning of how to move all those extra people around etc?

FIrstly, I would like to say I am a Brisbane girl born and bred and currently reside in West End and have for some time. I am also a Social Planner so might have some clue what I am talking about.

Commission housing and ugly are outrageous emotive and highly subjective statements … sensationalist to boot if not plain ridiculous. I respect your view but please keep them rational.

I love West End which is why I choose to live here and choose to remain living here. However, West End is full of some not so great aspects. I welcome the developments, this and ones like it. There, from my knowledge of proposed developments, is a good mix of size and styles of living. There are also a range of price points which is important if West End is to remain diverse. Thankfully they have limited the medium and high density living allowing West End to keep it’s old world charm.

West End is changing so time to embrace it. I remember people making the same statements about South Bank and yet now who can imagine Brisbane without it! Not to mention it is what Brisbane is famous for.

They’re all SOLD and stage 2 is almost ALL Pre-sold! Something must be going right on Tarabay Lane!

Ab i think u need to stop picking at things, i think there a thousand worse things to look at in westend then this building. Commision housing is a bit extreme for your description, if people want to hang a bedsheet on there balcony they can because its there a apartment and its with in there right to do so. The internal finishes are quiet nice, an the observation deck, rooftop pool, sauna and gym will not be found in comission house project.

You need to get of your high horse, have your opinion but be humble about it.

The final “Housing commission” touches have been completed on this BLOCK as the new tenants decorate the balcony railings with their drying laundry.
What a piece of art as one drives down Kurilpa street to see fluro workwear and bedding hanging out.
Shame.

Actually, I thought it was not too bad! Certainly better than some of the blocks in Melbourne, not to mention Singapore where I originally hail from!.

The problem I think stems from the height restriction. It’s much easier to make a tall slender tower look good. And I heard (but haven’t verified) the quality inside is pretty good.

Great location, large units, great roof deck, and good price: ok, it’s not the Mona Lisa but you can’t have everything!

Apologies for using car mods as an analogy. It’s just confusing you and making you misinterpreting my statement. In no way, I’m saying low price represents value. I’m talking about affordability.

Put it that way, only a few months ago, I came across the news of a $4M home sold for $1M in an auction, is that value for money? Hell yea! Can I afford it? No. What I’m paying for ECCO is just it’s age and location, nothing else, that’s all I can afford.

I also partially disagree with your statement regarding the looks of the building affecting the price. Initial cost and short term price will be higher with designer apartments but the real value to a home is the land and location. Land is out of question for ECCO since it’s divided among 47 owners; location, is the real value of ECCO due to its proximity to CBD, its community and the proximity to the best public school in Brisbane, Brisbane State High.

Every other factors will depreciate over time, regardless of how good the facilities or structures are, wear and tear will depreciate its value. No matter how beautiful it looks, it will go out of fashion within 10 years, when it’s not in fashion, demand will drop and so is the value.

It works for those who only wants to pay for the location but not on the premium looks.

15% of lets say, $500,000, which is below the median price of these apartments, is $75,000. Do you know how much is $75,000 is? And do you think developer won’t put up a profit margin on that 15% they spent on higher profile architect to design a designers apartment?

Can’t have everything in life, can you? And talk is cheap, mate, of course everyone wanted their belongings to look good but there are other priorities in life apart from paying a premium on looks.

As a comparison, I remember when I was much younger and taking a piss at cheap car modifications that looked absolutely hideous! But when it comes to my own car, I was limited in budget and have priorities on what’s going on in the hood, so I ate my own words and did some of those hideous but practical mods.

I did ended up purchasing one of this apartments for its price,location and its age. If I were to prioritise looks, something else has to go. I’m not offended by anyone calling it ugly or whatsoever, I’m just posting my reply because I think your comment is rather naive.

it may be hideous and bland but properties are so overpriced nowadays, for its price, beggers can’t be choosers.

Re. the laneway not being built further from Montague Rd, the acquisition of lot 11 wasn’t successful, that’s why there’s only one side to build the laneway. Agreed that it’s not necessary though since Montague Rd is right there

Unfortunately Kari, re comment #3, this construction is a blot on the landscape.
The render looks beautiful in comparison to the building and that is really saying something.
If only the BCC took a longer term view of what these developments are doing to to face of Brisbane prior to giving approval..
West End and its current and future developments present an opportunity to create something magnificent.
The mock up of this building could have been done with a basic Leggo kit.
This construction looks very low end, in a housing commision style.
Take a look at Vancouver Canada and you can see how high density living can be made attractive.
I am dreading seeing this second phase come to life, it is horid.