A development application proposing a residential precinct on a former 168-hectare industrial site in Brisbane’s West End has been lodged.
Designed by Plus Studio with placemaking consultants Urbis, the project would transform a site on Donkin Street through the introduction of five 30-storey towers and one 12-storey tower, with three oriented towards the river and three facing the urban landscape. The development is proposed to accommodate 1,108 dwellings, making it Plus Studio’s largest masterplanned project in Queensland to date.
Each tower is designed to be visually distinct, with the architects noting in a communique that the river-facing towers adopt a lighter colour palette featuring glass balustrades and white aluminium screening, while the urban-facing towers embrace “bolder tones,” with steel powder-coated balustrades in red. The statement noted that podiums have been designed to reference industrial aesthetics through materiality, intended to reflect the site’s industrial history.
Under the proposal, the riverfront towers are connected at podium level via bridges.
Director of Plus Studio Danny Juric said the practice worked closely with Urbis to design a “public realm that fosters interaction at every level.” Rooftops and podium terraces feature shared amenities, including a terraced amphitheatre, a lap pool, a spa and sauna, a gym, barbecue areas, yoga and pilates studios, and coworking spaces.
The plan also features pocket parks, a pedestrian laneway that connects the riverfront with the city edge, food and beverage establishments and flexible open spaces for markets and community activities.
The site is framed by established fig trees, some of which, according to the development application, have stood for more than two centuries. These will be retained as part of the precinct.
Juric said the project represents a city-shaping opportunity for Brisbane. “This is a rare chance to transform an underutilised industrial site into a new riverside landmark. We’ve drawn on the character of West End while responding to the lifestyle and landscape qualities that define Brisbane today, creating a destination that connects the city’s past and future.”
Source: Architecture - architectureau
