A development application has been submitted by Delta Australia Holdings for a new 24-storey residential development located at 26 Cairns Street, Kangaroo Point.
Designed by Brisbane-based Architectus and Singapore-based WOHA, the proposal has emerged for the redevelopment of an old dry dock site in Kangaroo Point, featuring a towering structure that appears to “float” atop 20-metre stilts.
The development marks this superb waterfront location with a green, elegant tower that is distinctive without being ostentatious. The design emphasizes civic generosity, community and sustainability through its extensive greenery, generous public spaces and vertical village concept.
Architectus & WOHA
The cantilever concept is a distinctive design and includes a new public area known as ‘Dry Dock Gardens’ which would provide access to the historic dry dock and bring substantial connectivity benefits to the inner-city riverside district.
Delta Australia Holdings, a registered company associated with the ownership of Riparian Plaza by Bloomberg Incorporation, recently submitted their plans for the 4,964m2 at the terminus of the heritage-listed former Evans Deakin dry dock.
According to the development application, prepared by planning firm Urbis, the development is a collection of “vertical villages” spanning 24 residential floors within the proposed tower.
To encourage and inspire a vibrant residential community, each apartment belongs to one of eight vertical sky villages, like houses on a suburban cul-de-sac. The provision of eight sky villages is deliberate, uncompromising, and intrinsically associated with notions of prosperity.
Each sky-village is centred around a naturally lit and cross ventilated triple-volume sky-lobby, which opens seamlessly to a garden environment with views to the city skyline and the bay. Lounges, artwork and outdoor seating invite residents to pause and linger in this communal space.
Architectus & WOHA
The development comprises of 232 apartments, comprising 40 one-bedroom, 112 two-bedroom, 72 three-bedroom, and eight four-bedroom apartments. The tower that houses these units would appear to “float” 20 meters above Dry Dock Gardens, the public green space that could include dining establishments and cafes.
According to Urbis, the project stems from extensive collaboration with Brisbane City Council, which commenced in April 2021 with a goal of achieving an exceptional architectural result that enhances Brisbane’s subtropical ambiance and establishes a prominent urban landmark at Kangaroo Point.
The development application states that the podium and tower design prioritises flood prevention and heritage preservation.
“Elevating the tower not only ensures flood resilience for residents but also fosters a seamless visual and pedestrian link from the road to the historic Evans Deakin Dry Dock and Ferryman’s Bridge, located to the east. This modern design aims to blend seamlessly with the city’s skyline and serve as a prominent entry point to the Dockside precinct.”
Architectus & WOHA
Communal recreational amenities are proposed on the roof level, which are divided into five distinct spaces through landscaping treatment.
- The Skyline Pool is proposed at the northern part of the roof level, which consists of the main pool area, with deck chairs, cushioned cabanas, steam room and a sauna.
- Adventure Forest is proposed at the north-eastern part of the roof level, which includes children’s pool, children’s net / rope play, outdoor terrace, barbecue, and indoor children’s club.
- Sunset Forest is proposed at the north-western part of the roof level, which includes a plunge pool, barbecue, dining and hangout areas, as well as an indoor resident sky club with a show kitchen and dining area.
- Wellness Forest is proposed at the south-eastern part of the roof level, which includes a yoga lawn, movement studio, subtropical water garden and indoor gym spaces.
- Thinking Forest is proposed at the south-western part of the roof level, which comprises an outdoor event terrace, meeting spaces, workspaces and indoor business centre and library. Individual work from home spaces will be provided both indoors and outdoors.
The rooftop amenity is proposed to be accessible by building occupants only. Certain facilities will be bookable for events, but these will be open to all residents outside of reserved slots.
Project Rundown
- Site Area: 4,964m2
- GFA: Total: 34,474m2 (Non-residential GFA: 1,142m²)
- Height: 30 storeys / RL 116.6m
- Apartments:
- Total = 232
- 40 x one bedroom units
- 112 x two bedroom units
- 72 x three bedroom units
- 8 x four bedroom units
- Total = 232
- Elevators: x3 lifts. Lift-to-apartment ratio of 1:77.3
- Retail: 2 proposed F&B retail outlets on the podium levels
- Communal Space: Extensive rooftop recreation deck with pools, gardens, children’s clubs, yoga lawns, bbq areas, a gym and outdoor dining. Total communal open space is 9,023m2 (including 2,033m2 rooftop communal recreational area). 4,420m2 of total private open space.
- Car Parking: 458 parking spaces across five basement levels, with 416 spaces designated for residents, 35 resident visitor spaces and 7 retail visitor spaces. There is x17 motorcycle parking spaces included.
- Bike Parking: Total of 292 bicycle parking spaces, including x232 resident spaces within Basement Level 1 and x60 visitor spaces within Basement Level 1.
- Total Landscaped Areas: 11,915.87m2
- Developer: Delta Australia Holdings
- Architect: Architectus & WOHA
- Landscape Design: RPS
- Town Planner: Urbis
- Sustainability: Sustainability is deeply integrated with the architectural elements. Windscoops naturally ventilate the basement carpark, forming gateway towers to the Dry Dock Gardens reminiscent of ships’ funnels. The tower crown is an energy-harvesting solar trellis which shades and cools the rooftop sub-tropical spaces below. Rainwater is harvested, stored and bio-treated through the natural ponds in the public spaces. The paired-tower form is a “machine for balmy breezes” designed to direct maximum air flow through airy sky gardens.
- Date Submitted: 01/09/2023
Urbis underscores that the planned development is in harmony with the existing growth pattern along the Kangaroo Point peninsula’s riverfront, adhering to the gradual reduction in building height and size as one moves away from the CBD.
Delta Australia Holdings Limited acquired the site in August 2019, attracted primarily by the unique and challenging opportunity it offers to create a defining development for Kangaroo Point and the city of Brisbane.
Plans
PlansLandscape Plans
Development Application Link
Tell us what you think about this development below in the comment box. The development application for this project, available to view on Brisbane City Council’s Developmenti online platform is:
What a thoughtful and visually stunning residential development. It definitely takes the creativity and ‘outside / inside’ design outlook which thrives in Singapore and brings it to a climate aware densification of Brisbane. The recognition that future Brisbane is families living in high density res (via rooftop amenity aimed at children) is a step forward and the opportunity to return open space / public realm and connectivity at ground level should be applauded. In the event of future flood events this development will thrive and serve as an example to other developers. Based on this proposal it should be approved (provided conditions of approval require the proposed design to be built and not eroded via later iterative amendments after approval).
I LOVE IT !!!
Where do I sign up?
Will the one bedroom units be less than$400/wk to rent?
Will you be responsible for the added traffic congestion at access points to K Pt?
Added transport congestion? How is that being dealt with?
There is a new pedestrian bridge connecting KP to the city. We should embrace density of villages near the city to encourage walking , ferry, cycling and other non private motorised vehicle forms of transport. The new bridge is a multi-million dollar investment in reducing traffic. Why would you want to encourage development in the middle ring which is proven to add to traffic and pollution when suburbs like Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane are walkable to the city. Have you noticed how many people now walk from the residential precincts of South Brisbane to the city every day? KP will be the same. Bring it on!
Peita,
I’m pretty sure the public transport issue is covered comprehensively by the existing City Cat and Brisbane ferry (Kitty-cat) services on either side of the Kangaroo Point peninsular.
There’s also the option to walk/ cycle/ scooter to the city -the new Kangaroo Point pedestrian bridge will be finished by the time this tower is constructed. Plus there’s the existing bike path/ pedestrian walks along Storey Bridge and at the base of the cliffs/ Southbank.
There’s a reason this part of Brisbane is one of the most dense urban-population regions in the Southern Hemisphere: this is a great place to put a new residential tower.
If you’re interested in constructive criticism, the area could always do with more ferry stops. I’d say raise your concerns with Brisbane Council and see what plans they have to add extra ferry services to this region.