A new 17-storey, two-tower residential development has been proposed by Progeny Projects and Finegrain Group for 24 Duncan Street, West End.
Designed by Betts+Partners, the proposed development would be delivered in two stages, that accommodates the sequential construction of the two towers.
On the ground level, the development will provide a 250m2 retail tenancy, 152m2 commercial tenancy and 124m2 community use tenancy. A 47m2 bicycle workshop is also provided as well as two dedicated EV fast charging stations.
On the level-19 rooftop, each building boasts recreation decks interconnected by a pedestrian bridge. These roof decks include two pools, a third children’s pool, a gym, a yoga/Pilates studio, two lounges, two private dining rooms, a work-from-home library, a cinema room, a sunset terrace, gardens, hot and cold plunge pools, and a wellness area with treatment rooms.
The development plans to dedicate over 30% of the ground floor to publicly accessible space. This area will include landscaping, seating areas, lighting, public art, water features, and mature trees, designed to extend the footpath reserve and enhance the pedestrian experience.
Project rundown
| Development Parameter | Proposed Development |
|---|---|
| Development Type: | Residential development |
| Site Area: | 4,190m² |
| Height: | Stage 1 – Tower A: 17 Storeys + Roof deck / RL 72.95m Stage 2 – Tower B: 17 Storeys + Roof deck / RL 72.95m |
| Apartments: | Stage 1 – Tower A: 10 x 1 bedroom apartments, 49 x 2 bedroom apartments, 42 x 3 bedroom apartments (total 101 apartments) Stage 2 – Tower B: 10 x 1 bedroom apartments, 49 x 2 bedroom apartments, 42 x 3 bedroom apartments, (total 101 apartments) |
| Elevators: | Stage 1 – Tower A: x3 elevators (lift-to-unit ratio of 1:33.6) Stage 2 – Tower B: x3 elevators (lift-to-unit ratio of 1:33.6) |
| Communal Space: | 353m2 communal rooftop in stage 1, tower A & 193m2 in stage 2, tower b. 1,472.5m² of communal open space in total |
| Retail: | 250m2 retail tenancy, 152m2 commercial tenancy and 124m2 community use tenancy |
| Car Parking: | Stage 1 – Tower A: Resident bays: 145, Visitor bays: 17 Stage 2 – Tower B: Resident bays: 176, Visitor bays: 21 |
| Bike Parking: | Stage 1 – Tower A: Residents: 102, Visitor: 52 Stage 2 – Tower B: Residents: 104 |
| Developer: | Progeny Projects and Finegrain Group |
| Architect: | Betts+Partners |
| Landscape Design: | RPS |
| Town Planner: | Mecone |
| Sustainability: | – Flat plate photovoltaic cells to enclosed rooftop extent to assist reducing energy loads for communal area lighting and building energy loads – EV charging provided to selected visitor car parking areas and opportunity for resident EV charging – Garden planters and elevated gardens throughout – Water harvesting for landscaping – Separate recycling and general waste chutes for each tower to encourage resident waste recycling. -Building will achieve NCC requirements for energy efficiency and address BCC endorsed environmental design guide tools that include NABERS and EnviroDevelopment. |
| Date Submitted: | 12/07/2024 |
The development follows the “Buildings that Breathe” guidelines, promoting environmentally responsive architectural design with the podium featuring green walls and vertical gardens, providing a dynamic facade and contributing to the building’s environmental performance.
The residential towers are designed with high ceilings, natural ventilation, and large outdoor terraces. Common areas include double-height garden spaces at each lift core, maximising light and cross ventilation.
The development provides several benefits, including:
According to the development application, each residential apartment type is tailored to a diversity of demographics that will either own, rent or co-locate with family and friends within the context of a new subtropical urbanity.
Downsizers will have the opportunity to upsize their quality of living; families will be provided the opportunity to connect with community and public amenity; couples and singles will be afforded the opportunity to live the West End lifestyle close to employment.
Two diverse urban conditions exist within the West End site context that are separated by Montague Rd. The Riverside South Precinct to the west is a high density residential zone comprising predominantly apartment buildings and contrasted by the established suburban character to the east with primarily post war single detached dwellings.
Betts+Partners
The application goes on to state that the current high construction costs compared with historical norms are placing immense pressure on project viability in the industry. “Builder/ Developers are best placed to confront these cost challenges. As a Builder/ Developer, Progeny Projects and Finegrain Group is well-positioned in the current market to realise this project and deliver quality housing for a broad demographic.”
24 Duncan Street currently accommodates a one storey warehouse and is one of a few remaining undeveloped sites in this West End riverside pocket between Montague Road and Riverside Drive.
Plans
Plans-1Development 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:
Yet another set of towers, and this one right on the riverfront! Without commenting on the design, we have to ask questions about infrastructure – traffic management, parking, public transport? Does the council have a plan for this significant population increase to this area as a result of approving these large, dense developments. How far does the council plan to go with these approvals? Will they conclude when every industrial block has been filled with these high rise developments? What is the vision for West End?
I can only echo the comments above.
We have lived in West End and Highgate Hill areas for eight years including in an eleven storey tower and now in an eight storey building.
The maximum height of all the towers in this area adjacent to the river has been around eleven storeys and now we are being forced to accept two towers around 50% taller. All really high tower blocks were supposed to be at the other end of Montague Street with West End remaining an attractive mix of single level traditional dwellings and medium level towers.
The Council must lower the heights of these proposed developments or all future developments in this already congested area will be of similar size.
I fully concur with the first two comments.
West End has had fifteen years of densification with little improvement in infrastructure and traffic management. It’s already a nightmare getting to and from work along Montegue Road. There are several large multi-storey apartment blocks under construction in the immediate area and another large project has recently been approved at 281-297 Montegue Road for another 345 apartments. These will make matters worse. The few remaining sites ripe for development, including this one, should be placed on hold until plans are in place to improve matters. In addition, the reason this area was mainly industrial in the past, and not used for housing, was that it floods badly – another reason to take a step back and consider before building two 17 storey towers on Duncan Street.. And, of course, what’s happened about the Victoria Street ferry stop?
I think a 6-7 sorties development or townhouses will be better suited. Or even public space? There are enough buildings in construction already and another 5 in development…