Council has approved Aria Property Group’s application for a shorter building known as ‘Urban Forest’ at 23-25 Glenelg Street, South Brisbane.
Initially proposed in July 2020, the original taller proposal was mooted to be the “world’s greenest residential tower” with 1,003 trees and 20,000 plants over 30 levels plus two communal rooftop levels. It also had 382 apartments in total.
Designed by Koichi Takada Architects, the now approved watered down proposal features a reduced the height of 18 habitable levels with one rooftop level with a total of 194 apartments.
Despite the project’s bold sustainability and green credentials, the project was cut down due to being taller than what is allowed based on Brisbane City Council’s 2014 City Plan.
Project rundown
- Site Area: 2,784sqm
- Height: 19 levels / RL 91m
- Apartments: x75 2 bedroom apartments, x41 2 bed + MPR apartments, x30 3 bedroom apartments, x14 3 bed + MPR apartments, x34 4 bedroom apartments (x194 apartments total)
- Lifts: x5
- Retail: Ground level visitors centre with 31m2 cafe. Publicly accessible ground floor park (1,452 m2)
- Communal Space: Rooftop recreation deck with pool, gym, dining room, cinema, spa with hot and cold pools, sauna & steam rooms, workspace, wine room, resident’s lounge and bar and bbq areas (2,177 m2)
- Car Parking: x368
- Sustainability: The development includes a provision for a rooftop solar array system which would provide power to common areas, 550 trees and 25,000 plants.
According to updated application documents, a visitors centre located on the ground floor along Merivale Street is still included in the development along with a small 31m2 cafe.
Approved Plans
Attachment A1 - Amended Architectural PlansPart-1
Tell us what you think about this masterplan below in the comment box. The development application for this project, available to view on Brisbane City Council’s Developmenti online platform is A005490380.
4.93
/5Based on 03 rating(s)
Architectural design
Building amenities
Building greenery (Buildings that breathe)
Public realm / Street activation
Sustainability
By 03 reviewer(s)
Fred Wolbers
Glad to see height reduced. One question, as all the greenery will create it’s own ecosystem are insect screens incorporated in the build?
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Anthony
A shame about the height limit but overall this is a stunning development that hopefully becomes the new trend of Brisbane s buildings.
I can’t see much of a difference in height compared to some of the other buildings nearby.
BCC needs to get it’s act together. Up rather then out is the best outcome for all
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JimmyBoy
Hmmm. Brisbane needs to ‘grow up’ not out. The 2014 city plan is out of date:
https://amp.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/brisbane-needs-to-grow-up-not-out-infrastructure-australia-20181210-p50l90.html
This is now the second lost opportunity after the the Toowong ‘champion flutes’ were disapproved … designed by the late Zaha Hadid, due to a 15 story high restriction.
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