Developer Plans 300 Apartments in Ipswich

Brisbane-based developer Christopher Zenonos has resubmitted plans for a four building apartment complex in North Ipswich, south-west of Brisbane. 

The 6600sq m site, 35-37 Lowry Street, 2-6 Pelican Street and 27-30 The Terrace, was amalgamated last year with Zenonos outlying $5.5 million for eight existing freestanding homes. 

Zenonos has had the masterplanned development in mind for some time. The first portion of the site, two homes at 35 and 37 Lowry Street, equating to 1300sq m, were purchased for a combined $940,000 in 2016. The remainder of the site was picked up in March last year. 

All the properties, opposite the Ipswich Jets Rugby League Club which backs on to the Bremer River, are held under a separate entity—North Ipswich Development—which is headed up by Zenonos. 

▲ The proposal includes the removal of eight buildings and would use 10 existing land parcels with an amalgamated site area of 6500 square metres.

A proposal is now before the Ipswich City Council and comprises two nine-storey and two 11-storey buildings for a total of 31,000sq m of gross floor area.

The development would deliver 300 apartments in one, two and three-bedroom configurations and is targeted at local owner-occupiers.

In its development application Zenonos said its plans for The Terrace had been considered in close collaboration with the council, providing more than 390 carparking spaces as well 30 visitors spaces, 110 bicycle spaces and motorbike spaces to ensure the project would have minimal, if any, impact on neighbours and on-street parking.

There will also be a central courtyard with landscaping, barbeque areas, seating, communal vegetable gardens, a swimming pool and outdoor dining terrace.

Two retail and commercial tenancies are planned for the ground floor of the two buildings fronting The Terrace and end-of-trip facilities will be provided.

▲ The main pedestrian entrances are provided from Lowry Street and The Terrace.

The developer hopes the medium-density application, if realised, will help accommodate the recent population boom in Brisbane’s western corridor.

The population of Ipswich is expected to double in the next 20 year, overtaking the Sunshine Coast

By 2036, the city’s population will be up to half a million people, Greater Springfield will be home to more than 130,000 and the Ripley Valley will explode to 120,000.

Zenonos made headlines five years ago after it was reported he allegedly made payments to disgraced former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale, who was released from prison on parole last month.

Zenonos has not been charged with any criminal offence and has previously denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with Pisasale.