The heritage-listed Shafston House on the Brisbane River in Kangaroo Point could soon have a 15-storey neighbour, should plans submitted to council by the landowner be approved.
Significant as one of a small group of surviving riverine houses from before Queensland’s separation from NSW, Shafston House was built in stages from 1850 through to the 1930s, with Queensland Colonial Architect FDG Stanley and Robin Dods contributing to the design at different times.
Over its lifetime the property has been a grand homestead, a hospice for return servicemen, a RAAF administration office, and most recently a campus for the scandal-plagued Shafston International College.
Developer Burgandy Group purchased the property in 2020 and is now proposing to build a tower containing 39 apartments directly next to the heritage property, while demolishing Shafton International College’s contemporary buildings on the site. The architect of the proposed tower is Rothelowman.
Shafston House tower by Rothelowman.
“This project seeks to undertake the challenging task of continuing the evolution of the Shafston House precinct, returning the use to its original purpose as a residential place, maintaining its integrity and meaning to the city environment and preserving the site for the future,” the firm notes in planning documents.
Shafston House’s relationship with the river will be preserved, with the open lawn in from of the house preserved, while the new tower will take architectural and material cues from the historic house.
“As a first principle the design seeks to establish a ground plane that unifies and reconnects the various and disparate heritage elements found on the site,” states Rothelowman. “The removal of additions and alterations that have occurred in more recent times that have compromised the true value of the buildings and setting was a first step in establishing a place from which to depart. The overall intent is to communicate a cohesive precinct identity, allowing new interventions to be clearly contemporary yet referential.”
Shafston House tower by Rothelowman.
A heritage impact report prepared by Urbis in support of the development notes that the proposed works will have some impact on the cultural significance of the heritage place, but that the impact will be minimized thanks to the chosen location of the new building and the retention of heritage fabric.
A community engagement report prepared for the proponent notes that the majority of respondents who expressed an opinion were opposed to the development, with concerns raised about the height of the tower and the impact on the heritage of the site.
See the development application here.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
