Elevated Tower Plans Filed for Brisbane’s Dockside Precinct

Plans have been filed for an elevated 30-storey residential tower rising above a proposed public park in Brisbane’s historic inner-city Dockside precinct at Kangaroo Point.

It would comprise 232 apartments across 24 levels clustered into eight three-storey “sky villages”—each centred around open, naturally lit communal lounges.

Supported on a series of V-columns, the raised tower is designed to “release the entire ground plane for public use” activating it with retail, regenerative landscaping, boardwalks and water gardens.

The application has been lodged by Delta Australia Holdings, an entity linked to Singapore-based Bloomberg Incorporation, which also developed the 53-storey Riparian Plaza tower in the Brisbane CBD’s Golden Triangle.

Earmarked for a 4964sq m site on the corner of Cairns and Deakin streets, the proposed tower would replace an existing building with 18 serviced apartments.

The site—adjacent to the heritage-listed former Evans Deakin Dry Dock—was approved in 2017 for two towers of 13 and 17 storeys comprising 311 apartments. It changed hands in 2019.

Evans Deakin was the engineering company behind Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge.

Under the new scheme designed by Architectus and WOHA, the proposed H-shaped tower would include a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom units ranging from about 88sq m to 260 square metres.

A rooftop communal level would include a pool, sauna, yoga lawn, outdoor event terrace, barbecue facilities and hangout spaces, a “party penthouse” with kitchen and dining area, children’s pool and indoor kids club, a gym and business centre with meeting rooms and workspaces.  

Carparking for 458 vehicles would be provided across five basement levels.

“The development marks this superb waterfront location with a green, elegant tower that is distinctive without being ostentatious,” a submitted design statement said.

“The design emphasises civic generosity, community and sustainability through its extensive greenery, generous public spaces and vertical village concept.”

The centrepiece of the proposal is the new Dry Dock Gardens.

“Built in and around the old dock, they are a significant addition to the public realm in Kangaroo Point,” it said.

“These gardens add another jewel in the necklace of ferry-accessible parks and gardens along the Brisbane River.

“Strategically located between the new Kangaroo Point Green Bridge and the renewed Dockside ferry terminal, the Dry Dock Gardens provide a spectacular pedestrian connection across the peninsula.” 

According to a planning report, the site has a  prescribed building height limit of 15 storeys, as it is within the Dockside precinct, but parcels spanning 1200sq m and more “are afforded greater height limits”.

“The tower promotes a contemporary design that will suitably integrate into the city skyline … (and) act as a key gateway and entry marker to the Dockside precinct,” it said.

Not only is the proposed tower elevated several storeys off the ground to improve public accessibility and views through the site to the dry dock and river but also to ensure flood immunity. 

“The proposed development on Cairns Street has the potential to catalyse the rejuvenation of the Dockside precinct, improve connectivity, and create a needed public garden for the precinct,” the report said.

Delta Australia’s Scott Collins said he had lived in Kangaroo Point and benefited from “an appreciation of, and the responsibility associated with, the inherent quality and uniqueness of the Kangaroo Point peninsula”.

“Not only does Kangaroo Point possess a special place in Brisbane’s history, it also assumes a pivotal role in shaping the future of Brisbane’s dynamic inner-city communities and their landscapes; both built and natural forms,” he said.

“Within this dynamic, we take very seriously the responsibility and leadership that is incumbent upon us to procure a progressive and leading development, balancing the interests of stakeholders and advancing the design aspirations of others in collaboration with the city.”