A development application has been submitted by Alceon Group for a $200 million redevelopment of 240 Sandgate Road, Albion into a large mixed-use precinct involving commerical, residential and retail.
Known as Hudson Common, the project is centred on the old TAB building which was built in the 1970’s and would undergo a building refurbishment, complete with façade upgrade, as well as a new open area plaza and new mid-level commercial office tower.
An onsite bistro, supermarket and boutique retail is also planned.
Alceon (Qld) Director Todd Pepper said the project would revitalise the Albion Village precinct and create a new heart for Albion (to be named ‘Hudson Common’), providing activation seven days a week in what will become Brisbane’s next inner-city growth area.
“With the city shaping Cross River Rail network linking up with Albion rail station, Albion will become one of Brisbane’s most transport connected suburbs, linking office workers and residents to Central station, the new downtown Albert Street station, and the Airport all within three stops” he said.
“The project’s scale and elevated location will establish a new commercial business park, providing tenants with an unrivaled level of amenity and transport options, all at their doorstep whilst providing much needed community retail engagement areas within in an open, safe and visually stunning urban setting.”
Project rundown
- Retention and refurbishment of the existing 10-storey commercial office tower on the site
- New 7-storey commercial office tower (Building C2) fronting Hudson Road and Gore Street
- New 15-storey residential tower (Building R1) fronting Sandgate Road and Gore Street
- Ground level retail including specialty stores, cafes/restaurants, showroom and a supermarket with a GFA of 1,500m2
- Publicly accessible plaza with high quality lighting and hard and soft landscaping
- Four basement car parking levels with access via Gore Street, Hudson Road and Sandgate Road, and loading and servicing to occur via Gore Street
- A total of 573 on-site parking spaces, including 199 retail/residential visitor spaces, 240 commercial spaces, 34 commercial/resident spaces and 100 resident spaces
- Apartments: Total of 77 units in Building R1, including:
• 20 x 1-bedroom units
• 38 x 2-bedroom units
• 19 x 3-bedroom units - A rooftop garden, pool and barbecue terrace offering 270-degree views of the city, Brisbane River and Ascot, Clayfield and beyond.
A preliminary approval was granted by Brisbane City Council in 2017 allowing the demolition of the existing tower, with plans approved for the development of four residential towers totalling 712 apartments accompanied by 810 car parks.
According to Alceon, the master plan builds on their suburban office business park strategy which interplays commercial land uses with open spaces, clear breeze ways and natural sunlight for resident and community engagement.
The precinct will feature ample convenient on-site car parking with points of access and egress. The site is also supported by public transport (rail and bus) and secure bikeways.
Alceon’s development manager, Core Property, appointed both Cox Architecture and Arkhefield to collaborate as joint architects for the precinct.
Head of Core Property Partners Nathan Andersen said bringing the skills of two of Brisbane’s most qualified design teams together was a masterstroke to achieve an exemplary outcome for the community and Albion as a whole.
“Combining the skills and experience from designing many of Brisbane’s major dining and mixed-use precincts, the team have created a master plan solution that will create a new heart for Albion and allow the area to organically grow from this central hub” he said.
“The building has been a landmark in Brisbane’s north since it was developed by Government in the mid 1970’s. Approval was given in 2017 for the building to be demolished, however the decision to refurbish the original tower not only reflects corporate responsibility through sustainable design, but also responds to market demands for combining quality office accommodation with transport and amenity, allowing businesses to diversify their workforces in the post-Covid era.”
The code assessable application includes a 2,000 sqm public plaza surrounded by a mix of convenience, food and beverage and service retail. A new boutique supermarket will complement a gym and childcare centre.
A total of approximately 14,000 sqm of office accommodation and 77 boutique apartments will complete the master plan.
Development approval is expected later this year for works to commence in 2021, with completion of the entire precinct forecast for late 2022, early 2023.
Plans
Plates
Tell us what you think about this development below in the comment box. The development application for this project, available to view on Brisbane City Council’s Planning & Development Online is A005515830.
Really terrible urban design – five driveway access points and dead street frontages all around. It faces inwards and doesn’t integrate with the surrounding ares. All building entrances are in the interior, clearly encouraging car use in what should be a TOD-type development.
It’s sandwiched between two arterial roads – nobody would want to be opened onto that.
Agree with Tim. Terrible urban design. The shops designed this way will end up a vacant wasteland like Emporium and Portside. Even against the arterial roads, the development could incorporate set backs with trees to soften the interface. Apartment buyers want more than just carparking, they want to be part of a community. The design fails to consider pedestrians and turns its back on the beautiful heritage buildings of Sandgate Road. Brisbane City Council need to get their act together and strategically plan this neighbourhood with a sensible traffic plan and pedestrian connectivity so new developments work for the community and with each other.
Nightmare street access here, particularly for those coming from the north (Sandgate Rd) or east (Crosby Road).