A development application has been submitted by Aria Property Group for the refurbishment of the three storey ‘Merivale Flats’ building at 105 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane into mixed-use retail and commercial usage.
The existing brick building currently houses a cafe tenancy fronting Melbourne Street and two ground storey units fronting Merivale Street. At the rear of the building, a former air raid shelter accommodates a small coffee shop known as The Paladar.
Designed by Twohill & James, the upper storey units will be retained in their current layout but undergo a change of use to offices.
“The site benefits from a Heritage Exemption Certificate for building works, which was issued by Brisbane City Council on the 20th December 2021 facilitating demolition and most building work necessary to effect the changes in use.” – PPA
Under the plans proposed, the 59m2 retail tenancy facing Melbourne Street would become a shop with new fixed glazing installed along the shops frontage to Melbourne Street, providing a display window function.
The existing air raid shelter will be consolidated with two ground level units into a new restaurant which will feature 22m2 of roof terrace dining above the air raid shelter. The food and drink outlet would operate between 11am and 12 midnight, seven days a week.
The remaining six units on the upper story would be converted to small office tenancies.
Project rundown
- Site Area: 352m2
- GFA: 592m2
- Height: 3 storeys / RL 17.30m
- Retail: x2 tenancies
- Car Parking: No
- Bike Parking: No
- Architect: Twohill & James
- Landscape Design: RPS Group
- Town Planner: Property Projects Australia (PPA)
- Sustainability: There is no provision for rooftop solar.
Landscaping
Plans
App B - Proposed Plans (1)
The proposal is one of a few development applications lodged by Aria who are undertaking a retail strategy to transform Fish Lane into a vibrant laneway.
Tell us what you think about this development application below in the comment box. The development application for this project, available to view on Brisbane City Council’s Developmenti online platform is A005922500.
2.44
/5Based on 11 rating(s)
Architectural design
Building amenities
Building greenery (Buildings that breathe)
Public realm / Street activation
Sustainability
By 11 reviewer(s)
Lisa Robinson
Good afternoon
I am the great granddaughter of the original owner Mr Pierce Williams.
The building needs freshening, but I am shocked it’s being refurbished to the extent it is.
Completely changes the look of building.
Pierce would’ve preferred mainly housing.
Lisa
Helpful?
Yu
Eventually, it will just become a milk tea shop.
If we are to renovate it, best to knock it down and build more housing.
Low income housing in a high value area makes no sense. It is best removed.
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Michael
Exposed brick looks great. The rest is shocking. Turning low income houses into offices. Ripping out the cigar shop which is known and loved all through Brisbane. Give this building and this suburb a little respect. What yuppie bullsh*t. Yawn.
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Matthew
I like the exposed brick, hate the interior changes. You want to kick people out of their home? Destroy an air raid shelter? How many of those are left?! No provision for rooftop solar either!
Maybe it is just for the sake of photos but it wouldnt surprise me if it wasn’t, but the pedestrian crossing lights are being removed?! That’s a terrible idea.
Return the exterior to its former glory but dont fuck up the interior. Maintaing the facade of a building is not retaining it’s character. Hasn’t Brisbane destroyed enough of it’s old buildings.
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David
What a surprise……. The usual local action groups think it’s a terrible idea. Who would have thought!
Progress is something you cannot stop. Gentrification of the area is inevitable.
It is an inherently better proposal than another cheap apartment tower!
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KNP
I live the re- exposing of the brickwork, which brings the Artdeco building alive.
But would be sad to see the Fumidor go.
Gentrification doesn’t require scrubbing away all the character.
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Michelle
Just don’t do it. This is the worst news to wake up to. Where are all those people going to live now if you kick them out. That’s their home. And The Paladar is full of character and history which is becoming rarer every day. Please dont let this go ahead there will be a lot of upset people in this community.
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Henley
What sort of narrow minded vision is removing the character of fish lane Aria? While the Paladar has paid homage to the cultural history of fish lane, this development application seeks to cover the communities diverse past with white tiles.
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Alan
Well done aria for removing the only low income housing available on fish lane, shows what your striving for, imagine pulling Phil’s cigar shop down! Alan
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Adrian
This is utterly ridiculous, destroying all the charm and character of this lovely old building.
“The proposal is one of a few development applications lodged by Aria who are undertaking a retail strategy to transform Fish Lane into a vibrant laneway.”
It already is a vibrant laneway. What a stupid statement.
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