Developer Remixes Toowong Apartments After Aviary Sell-Out

After the quick sell-out of its $450-million Aviary at Toowong tower, State Development Corporation has filed plans to remix its neighbouring development to corner the ravenous owner-occupier market. 

State Development Corporation has filed changes to scale back the number of apartments in its approved 20-storey tower at 60 High Street, Toowong from 154 to 125 apartments. 

The tower initially won approval in February 2020, but the rapturous uptake of apartment stock in Toowong has led the developer to up the number of three-bedroom apartments from eight to 36, while more than halving the number of one-bedroom apartments. 

According to planning documents, the revised scheme is in response to the Aviary sell-out and a “shortage of quality owner occupier apartments in the Toowong residential market”.

“SDC’s redevelopment of the site is intended to complement the Aviary @ Toowong and respond to a maturing residential apartment market attracting owner occupiers,” the document stated. 

▲ Aviary at Toowong sold out at record pace—developer State Development Corporation is remixing its second apartment tower to cater to the owner-occupier market.

The Nettleton Tribe-designed tower at 60 High Street at Toowong would also receive a change to its facade to include white double-height brick colonnade walls and increased planting along the podium. 

“The built form of the podium and ground floor plane embraces the subtropical environment of south-east Queensland by providing layered awnings and an articulated landscaped interface to the north and west activating Ebor Street and High Street edges,” a design statement said. 

“Layering of horizontal slab projections, staggered screening and sun shading on the towers north and west facades responds climatically to the location and orientation. Recessed planters are paired with fully operable windows on all floors enable natural ventilation and visually reduces tower mass through green spines.”

▲ Scaled back plans for the 20-storey apartment tower at 60 High Street will comprise less apartments and an updated facade.

A proposed gymnasium and some car parking has been removed. The 20-storey apartment tower would now comprise 125 apartments made up of 36 three-, 61 two- and 28 one-bedroom apartments, as well as a pool and communal recreation facilities on the rooftop.

Speaking about the Aviary Residences, State Development Corporation managing director Ross McKinnon said the spacious apartments had incorporated the Covid experience and included expanded living areas. 

“We’ve designed Aviary Residences with owner-occupiers—in particular families and downsizers—in mind and the residential tower will meet the growing demand for high quality, generous apartments with the very best wellbeing and lifestyle amenities,” McKinnon said. 

“We’re also conscious that because of the pandemic, we’re seeing more people spending time at home and opting to entertain guests in their own space, so have featured entertainment areas, study nooks and spacious media rooms in the designs of some apartments.”