Woolies Makes Way for Luxury Shoptop Apartments at Ascot

South-east Queensland developer Silverstone has lodged plans for a luxury mixed-use residential project in one of Brisbane’s most well-heeled suburbs. 

The PDT Architects-designed five-storey building comprises 30 luxury two and three-bedroom apartments on a 1250sq m site at 77 Racecourse Road,  Ascot, on the site of a former grocery store. 

Silverstone acquired the site in December, 2021 for $9.75 million and released early plans for the site in 2022 as a commercial building. 

But Silverstone managing director Troy Daffy said the vision was now for a central village for Racecourse Road with a mix of shopping and dining as well as high-end apartments aimed at the owner-occupier market. 

“As an Ascot resident I see fantastic opportunity to create a special precinct to invigorate Ascot and Racecourse Road,” Daffy said.

“We believe this project has the ability to satisfy the demand for exclusive, owner-occupier living spaces as well as a luxury retail experience outside the city.”

According to planning documents, a key driver for the project was creating a design that was sympathetic and maintained thoughtful integration with the existing Racecourse Road streetscape. 

▲ The plans were reworked by PDT Architects to create a shoptop luxury apartment development for the site of the former Woolworths grocery store.

Three residential levels will sit atop a ground-floor dining precinct, with a rooftop infinity edge pool and outdoor space available for residents on the top floor..

According to the architectural statement, the design is aimed at capitalising on its prominent corner position with Kent Street, and provide space to reinvigorate the street’s shopping and dining offerings. 

The building would feature deep planting and vertical atriums, which will create an articulated facade with concrete, trellis and timber soffits. 

An at-grade carpark will make way for the project, with parking provisions for 115 cars across two basement levels. 

Silverstone has also focused on the sustainability of the project with low waste services, solar energy system, low-emission construction materials and a focus on natural light and ventilation across the development.

The private developer has earmarked construction commencement for mid-2024 following development approval of the code-assessable project. 

Silverstone has built more than 500 residential apartments in inner-city Brisbane, including Alto apartments at Toowong. 

They have delivered more than $900 million in developments across healthcare, commercial, residential and retail developments.