Bold plans have been submitted to council for the development of a large integrated mixed-use transit development known as ‘Lamington Markets’ which proposes to revitalise a vacant Lutwyche Road site leftover by the construction of the Inner Northern Busway.
Developed by Marketplace Developments and designed by Conrad Gargett Architects, Lamington Markets is a catalyst development for Brisbane’s inner north which notably plans to accommodate a new double volume fresh food market hall and organic supermarket with a variety of retail spaces such as a hotel/micro-brewery.
This market hall concept is inspired by the world renowned Borough Market in London, the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne and the original wet markets of Brisbane. – Conrad Gargett Architects
The vast market hall space would be covered by an arched roof canopy lined with skylights to facilitate natural daylight deep into the retail volume. The space is proposed to be framed by an articulated feature wall facade along Lutwyche Road to manage noise and air constraints, designed to make the market hall an appealing retreat from the main road.
To enhance pedestrian connectivity, key entrances and foyers have been incorporated into the new market hall design for ease of access and wayfinding including a future pedestrian access portal into the market hall complex.
Below ground, a boutique cinema facility is planned which would comprise of 8 cinemas, as well as a candy bar and event space area.
The market hall level has been designed to be uniquely interconnected with terrace retail and outdoor plaza amenities.
Level 2 features an urban farm restaurant which can be accessed by the public and the residents alike. The interior planning of the restaurant is divided to serve numerous functions.
The urban farm level features a street-facing vaulted roof, which would house a functional space, bar and dining areas among the growing produce. The internal main seating area of the urban farm restaurant is visible from all angles and frames a planned open kitchen. The restaurant aims to feature to the public a unique experience of food and nature.
The public spaces with an eclectic mix of restaurants, cafes and shops combined with a strong landscape character fosters a multicultural lifestyle making the precinct a vibrant hub of social activity. – Conrad Gargett Architects
A stand-alone three-storey office building on the north boundary is connected to the market hall by two bridge links.
Above the planned retail, short term accommodation and various health services are planned on level 3 and 3 of the project. The short-term accommodation is intended to be a respite centre that includes 23 beds and each room has access to natural sunlight and ventilation.
All necessary facilities are provided including nursing stations, dining/lounge rooms, communal balconies, games room / multi-purpose room, reflection room, study, library, administration rooms, staff facilities, and amenities.
Above this would sit two twelve-story residential apartment buildings accommodating 134 apartments, with the southern tower featuring a rooftop residential recreation deck.
Development rundown:
- Residential units 134 multiple dwelling units (16,009sqm GFA)
- South tower: 1 bedrooms – 6 apartments, 2 bedrooms – 46 apartments, 3 bedrooms – 14 apartments, 4 bedrooms – 7 apartments
- North tower: 1 bedrooms – 7 apartments, 2 bedrooms – 28 apartments, 3 bedrooms – 23 apartments, 4 bedrooms – 3 apartments
- Short term accommodation with x23 rooms (1,628sqm GFA)
- Office 1,040sqm
- Shopping – Ground floor 1,803sqm, Level 1 3,515sqm
- Health care services – tenancies include physiotherapy, a dentist, radiology, pathology, optometry, podiatry, audiology and general practice (1,560sqm GFA)
- Indoor sport and recreation (1,080sqm)
- Theatre (along with bar/function facility 1,591sqm)
- Other GFA – EOT and amenities (550sqm)
- Rooftop restaurant (and ancillary urban farm) 176sqm
- Total site area 7,332sqm + access easement
- Total car parking: x571 residential parking bays, x277 non-residential parking bays across six basement levels
- A vehicle and pedestrian cross block link is also planned from Lutwyche Road to Lamington Avenue.
The project is unusual in nature as the existing Inner Northern Busway slices the basement in two with one side being parking, the other an underground 8 theatre cinema complex. The basement also features end-of-trip facilities and vertical transportation to upper levels.
The development application for this project, available to view on Brisbane City Council’s Planning & Development Online is A005365420.
The development is immediately adjacent to the busway station, but is still car-dominated. Over 500 car spaces, 4 large vehicle entrances, inactive street frontages and it does not properly use the existing access easement that was supposed to provide a consolidated vehicle entrance.
The architecture is good – if they could fix the urban design flaws it could be a great development.