A development application has been submitted by the Queensland Investment Corporation for a new commercial-led landmark tower for the Over Station Development (OSD) at 101 Albert St, Brisbane City.
Known as ‘Rainforest Tower’, the project has been designed by Architectus and Henning Larsen and plans to provide for substantial public realm through an active and permeable ground floor plane.
To achieve this, the development includes an expansive civic space along the Albert Street frontage, which is nestled between planting zones and deep planting areas.
This space provides a variety of seating areas, creating opportunities for social interaction. The design of this space also acts as a refuge for pedestrians, and passers-by.
Aligned with the high-density nature of Brisbane’s inner city, the proposed development provides for a 40-storey (187.08 RL) development. Office uses predominate, with mixed uses located on the lower levels, providing a variety of retail and dining opportunities.
Whilst the development is commercial-led, it is a true mixed-use development, which will provide substantial public realm and activation opportunities.
“Our vision for Albert Street is to create an inclusive and magnetic destination of global standing, embracing the youthful Brisbane culture and unique sub-tropical climate.
A dynamic experience and an activated, welcoming public domain will underpin our proposal for Albert Street – that will establish a distinct, contemporary city landmark and provide a new social heart for Brisbane.
Our vision is a new meeting place of choice in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, where people engage, collaborate and create.”
– Architectus and Henning Larsen
The proposal aims to celebrate the Albert and Mary Street corner and to seamlessly integrate the development within the high-density urban fabric of the CBD.
According to the development application, a core component of the design is the provision of a highly permeable, revitalised public realm to enhance the pedestrian experience on Albert Street.
The development capitalises on opportunities to activate two site frontages, providing accessible and vibrant public spaces on the lower levels with the public realm will be accessible off both Albert and Mary Streets and will engage directly with the Albert Street CRR Station.
Project Rundown
- Site Area: 1,885m2 (75%)
- GFA: 52,755m2
- Height: 40 storeys / RL 187.08m to top of lift overrun and RL 185.13 to top of crown
- Elevators: x16
- Retail: x2 ground floor retail F&B spaces are provided with outdoor dining and x2 larger retail F&B spaces on level 1 with large outdoor dining zones. These spaces are connected by escalators.
- Outdoor Space: 3,797m2
- Car Parking: 38 car spaces (including 2 PWD and 2 Small Spaces)
- Bike Parking: Bicycle Parking: 258. Showers: 31 Lockers: 538.
- Developer: Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC)
- Architect: Architectus & Henning Larsen
- Landscape Design: Urbis
- Town Planner: Urbis
- Sustainability: Substantial sustainability initiatives including considerable green covering and rainwater harvesting. The project is targeting a 5-star rating for Greenstar and 5.5 NABERS rating.
- Date Submitted: 28/02/2023
The proposal also features a rooftop area comprising of an internal roofed space and a surrounding rooftop garden. The rooftop gardens present an opportunity for occupants to appreciate outdoor spaces and take in the fresh air.
The proposal is designed to reflect the Rainforest ‘Binbilla Story’ by combining a range of natural, local, and durable choice of materials. A range of public and Indigenous Art will be incorporated into the design strategy to build and design on country.
The design incorporates comfortable civic spaces that can be used year-round, with a variety of seating options and soft landscaping treatments, including large planting areas capable of accommodating significant species that will contribute to the Albert Street green spine.
The podium has also been designed to align with the Albert Street CRR Station awning, providing a complementary transition between the Albert Street CRR Station and the development.
The recessive podium form allows for the creation of public realm on the ground floor, and for public and private outdoor spaces within the podium levels to be maximised.
Building signage is also provided for at the top of both sides of the tower. The Rainforest Tower plans to capitalise on a dynamic arrival experience for the future Albert Street Cross River Rail Station and its predicted 67,000 daily users.
The developer, the Queensland Investment Corporation is a Queensland Government-owned development and investment entity that drives profit for and serves the long-term investment responsibilities of the Queensland Government.
In November 2021, QIC was appointed as the developer of Cross River Rail station precincts.
Plans
Tell us what you think about this development below in the comment box. The development application for this project, available to view on the Queensland Government’s PDA online platform is 1418.
This is awesome. Its suits our subtropical lifestyle and quite a modern design that will look good for years to come.
basic office brick, as more off the shelf architecture, please for first 8 floors then just office box design. minimal ground floor public shopping why not a supermarket, there are over 20,000 rooms within 3 blocks of this site, zero use of the underground space why not excavate 20 metres and add car spaces and shopping? why not use the shaft access now existing for future access to the rail station as alternative egress?
Great use of outdoor space and size for this location. Its different from everything else being built so it’s got my vote.
They should build it on the old myer site