Cielo Doubles Down on Oxford Street Revamp

South-east Queensland developer Cielo Group continues its regenerative transformation of Bulimba’s Oxford Street, lodging plans for a three-storey mixed-use building on the shopping strip.

The development application has been filed with the Brisbane City Council for the 3085sq m site at 187-193 Oxford Street, which will include the demolition of existing buildings and the amalgamation of three sites.

The Urban Developer understands the nine apartments in the apartment block at 187 Oxford Street were acquired for more than $15 million. 

It comes hot on the heels of plans for a $35-million apartment project at the corner of Riding Road, and another high-end apartment development at 52 Main Avenue at Balmoral called Hyperlux. 

The newly proposed mixed-use development will create a gross floor area of 7452sq m across three levels of tenancies, comprising retail at ground floor and two levels of office space above. The plans also include three basement levels that would deliver 227 carparking spaces. 

The developer has once again teamed with Bulimba-based architect Milton Zietsman from Z Architects to develop “high-quality architectural design that will make a positive contribution to the streetscape and surrounds”.

▲ Cielo Group has teamed with Z Architects again for its latest development plans on Oxford Street.

According to planning documents, low-rise retail and an apartment block would be demolished to make way for the mixed-use development. 

“The new development will facilitate the revitalisation of the site and streetscape along Oxford Street,” planning documents said.

“The proposed built form is consistent with the character over the area, which includes a predominance of existing food and drink, and shopping activities along Oxford Street. 

“The proposal will provide for a high level of amenity through appropriate setbacks and building height.”

Its the latest project in the group’s ongoing revitalisation plans of the suburb to bring it in line with other premium shopping strips, including James Street and West Village. 

Cielo Group founder Justin O’Donnell told The Urban Developer this year that there was a broader vision for the Oxford Street precinct “that will kickstart a much-needed regeneration of Oxford Street”.

“In about three years, Oxford Street will be a very different proposition to what it is currently and it is a very exciting time to be a Hawthorne or Bulimba resident,” he said.

Cielo’s plans for 360 Riding Road are still being considered by the Brisbane City Council, while Shayher Group’s 855-dwelling masterplanned 20ha precinct on the site of the former Bulimba Barracks is yet to be approved. 

Further south, Cielo Group is also pressing ahead with plans for a nine-level tower of whole-of-floor apartments in the tightly held Gold Coast suburb of Bilinga.

The project, which was recently launched through CBRE, features three bedroom, beach-facing apartments with open-plan kitchen, living and dining spaces opening to east-facing balconies.