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.