First Look: Graya’s Art Deco York Project Greenlit

South-east Queensland developer Graya is continuing to shape the future of New Farm as it moves on its latest project, York. 

It follows the developer’s recent accolades, winning The Urban Developer’s Awards for Industry Excellence in the Development of the Year—Small-Scale Residential (4-20) category for its Maison New Farm.

The site for York at 299 Bowen Terrace has been cleared to make way for the five-storey Art-Deco-inspired skyhomes. 

Graya director Rob Gray said the Bureau Proberts-designed development drew on the area’s Art Deco heritage and would capture sweeping views to the river and Teneriffe Hill. 

“As New Farm locals ourselves, it was very important to us to follow what is a key part the suburb’s fabric and heritage, while creating a contemporary expression of Art Deco that reflects the way we live today,” Gray said. 

“This styling runs throughout the project and can be seen in the precast concrete panels and the interior detailing, which is inspired by the rich natural stone, fluted glass and warm timber found in Manhattan’s Art Deco-style apartments.”

Gray said demand for whole-floor apartments in the blue-chip suburb of New Farm continued apace. 

“New Farm is all about location and lifestyle. There’s no better place in Brisbane,” he said. 

“You have the river, the wharfs, the park, the shops, the restaurants, and bars.

“Homes in the suburb are tightly held, so with York we’ve set about creating ‘sky homes’ for downsizers or young professionals who don’t want the maintenance of owning their own house but still want the amenity of New Farm and the added security apartment living provides.”

York will be the developer’s third project in the inner-city suburb after recently breaking ground on Chalk at Moray Street. 

The Brisbane City Council approved the project in October of 2022, which sparked an appeal through the Planning and Environment Court. 

Graya recently received advice that the five-apartment project would be allowed to proceed and the developer is planning to launch the project to market next month. 

▲ Chalk's rooftop features resort-style pool amenities and a view to Brisbane's city skyline.

Gray said the company’s evolution from home renovator to new home and multi-residential developer had been a natural progression. 

The developer has a pipeline of more than $200 million with projects on the Gold Coast also in planning. 

“Often there is a disconnect between owners, architects and builders that can cause major issues through the life of a project. Our integrated design, development and construction service means we are all working on the same team striving for the best outcome,” Gray said.

“We have been able to provide certainty around construction timeframes and offer an element of customisation as part of our sales process.”