Brisbane-based Aria Property Group has proposed it’s first residential tower in the Brisbane CBD, located at 171 Elizabeth Street.
Soaring 80 storeys high, the new tower is planned for the corner of Elizabeth and Edward Streets, which currently the site of several luxury retail boutiques including Hermes, The Hour Glass, MaxMara, Mont Blanc and Ermenegildo Zegna.

The proposed development is for an 80 storey building, comprising a 4 storey podium and 76 storey tower above or 274m AHD.
The development proposes 653 units throughout the tower and 1,950m2 non-residential Gross Floor Area (GFA) with retail and commercial tenancies at the ground and podium levels.

Snapshot
- Designed by RotheLowman
- Reaches Brisbane’s current maximum height (274m AHD) due to Brisbane Airport radar shadowing issue
- Includes residential apartments, retail and bar uses
- 4 luxury retail tenancies over 2 levels (ground and mezzanine levels)
- Includes level 4 & 5 recreation deck:
- Lap pool
- Kitchen BBQ and bar
- Dining
- Green walls & courtyard
- Gym
- Yoga studio
- Games room
- 6 level basement car stacker and 7 level podium car stacker system planned (384 car spaces)
- 377 bicycle spaces
- 319 x 1 bedroom apartments
- 334 x 2 bedroom apartments
- (653 apartments total)



Architectural Report
An Architectural Report has been prepared by RotheLowman, outlining the philosophy behind the proposed building design. Key elements of the report are summarised below:
- The completed project will leave a captivating and long last legacy for Brisbane CBD that will set a new benchmark of architectural excellence and design ingenuity.
- The proposal will activate the street frontages to reinforce the high-end retail presence along Edward and Elizabeth Streets.
- The design concept is to reinforce the slender nature of the tower proportions through the refinement of a simple, singular and organic form that is contextually responsive.
- A key aspect of the design is the floating effect created through the shadowline break between the tower and podium forms.
- The peeling of the gold leaf elements respond to wind engineering objectives that create a ‘roughening’ effect on diametrically opposed corners. As a counterbalance to the roughed edges, the opposite corners have smooth curtain wall glazing. The peeling away of the corners provides opportunities for maximising views from corner balconies, wintergardens and living spaces.
Landscaping and Streetscape
- Streetscape works along Edward Street are proposed to match the Edward Street upgrade concept, and includes pavement crossing, runway pavement, active edge pavement consistent with the upgrade. Both frontages of the site are also to include architectural street trees and seating.
- Podium planting is proposed at the level 3 terrace and throughout the level 4 communal recreation deck. Landscaping has been incorporated throughout the recreational facilities available on the level 4 deck, and includes a substantial green courtyard, “reading rainforest rooms”, planting around columns, undercroft podium planting and climbers over the architectural structures overhanging the proposed lap pool.
- Green walls are proposed along the northern side boundary of the site (adjacent to the lap pool at the level 4 recreational deck), and throughout the podium façade at the Elizabeth Street and Edward Street elevations of the building.


The proposal comes just after the Brisbane City Council’s announcement for a $11 million upgrade to Edward Street which aims to create an internationally renowned luxury high street.

All images supplied by PDOnline. The DA number for this development is A004280600.
5
/5Based on 15 rating(s)
Architectural design
Building amenities
Building greenery (Buildings that breathe)
Public realm / Street activation
Sustainability
By 07 reviewer(s)
Pamela Neil
Casting shadows on other areas is not acceptable and the outer gold finish will be like the former AMP building that blinded pilots from the sun reflections. Too High!!!
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2beetles
2subconscious
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M Johnson
Have these designers ever lived in a tall building with no balconies?
You’re disconnected from the outside. The views are ok but there’s no street sounds and no fresh air.
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Aden Rossinni
Brisbane, like Australia in general, needs MORE population growth. We really need to organize a mass immigration similar to the 50’s and 60’s from Europe. Hundreds of thousands are needed. More people equals more commerce. Many small to medium businesses are struggling in Australia solely because we DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH people. Australia’s population is minuscule compared to other countries.
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RC
What about Transportation ?
How have you laid out the strategy for on-street parking
Did you consider the narrow streets and Public transportation ?
Did you consider emergency and fire exits ?
How much closer will you be building this “Sky scraper” to the other apartments/buildings that exist now ? Enough of making the city crowded. Spread out guys! The city is not the only place to grow.
Sincere request, my feedback may not bother you that much, But Consider the average citizen. How much we can pay as a rents per week. We wont get paid too much to live in sky scrapers like these.
We don’t need luxury things like these !
If you are targeting the riches, please mention it clearly! No offense!
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Chifufunie
LOVE IT!! Very happy to see how far Brisbane has come and is blossoming to be a very modern and livable city compare to how it was 10-20 years ago! The city is so much more vibrant to be in and I cannot wait to see more of similar developments.
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BrisbaneDevelopment.com
Yep!
Frank Seymour
Brisbane doesn’t need more glass and steel skyscrapers that would never be allowed to be built that close to each other elsewhere. How many more does the city need? Who buys them? What does this mean for the average resident and their ability to afford housing when overseas money continues to pour into these developments, pushing average prices up, along with rents? Brisbane is not NYC and by all means, does not and will never have the economic power to justify these types of developments. New World City is synonymous for “Let’s build a thousand skyscrapers as it will fuel the economy, at least during construction. Doesn’t matter the lifestyle, affordability and long-term vision.”
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BrisbaneDevelopment.com
I think almost exactly the opposite is happening to what you have just stated. Unit prices have actually fallen 4.5% over the last 12 months. So your point to housing affordability, you should be happy that prices are coming down, including rent. So regardless of overseas or domestic buyers, there is a bargain to be had. Lifestyle in urban areas improve when you have a larger population density, hence making it viable for businesses to operate successfully. Considering building approvals have actually slowed, as far as oversupply, residence constructed are actually being absorbed by the market and will continue to do so at a better rate as we move forward.
Literally people rant without doing a single bit of fact checking whatsoever. You’re comparing Brisbane to NYC, mate not even Sydney is close to being like NYC. Overstatement of the century. Brisbane has the lowest population density across the four major states.
JP
Best design in Brisbane. New world style, love it. This is new world city BCC.
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