Forme Pushes the Boundaries on James Street Precinct

Most anyone familiar with Brisbane knows the James Street neighbourhood—it’s bold, high-end and riche . The Calile Hotel has set the standard for the area, 2.5km north-east of the Brisbane CBD, attracting celebrities, designer brands and developers since it opened in 2018. Privately owned developer Forme is the latest to join the enclave, enlisting the same architects as the hotel, Richards &amp; Spence, to design a project it sees as a natural extension of the street. But the journey for the six-storey commercial development with drive-through parking and surrounded by luxury retail and restaurants has not been smooth. Forme’s David Calvisi and Byron Griffith spent years amalgamating the 2587sq m block at 75-85 James Street. In 2022, they won approval for the development comprising 4500sq m of office and 4200sq m of retail. ▲ The view from the new offices along James Street towards The Calile Hotel. Forme managing director Calvisi says this kind of project takes time and although it has been rewarding it has not been without its challenges. “We began assembling the site several years ago, acquiring 12 individual titles across one of the most tightly held streets in Brisbane,” Calvisi says. “It was a long and deliberate process that required patience, care and strategic alignment. The total acquisition came in just over $26 million. “For Byron and me, it’s a generational investment that reflects our belief in James Street and our commitment to creating something that genuinely adds to its story.” Finding a builder in Brisbane post-pandemic has been an ordeal of its own. It’s when connections are vital, as Calvisi found through his friendship with Graya’s Rob Gray. “Rob is a good friend, and from early conversations it was clear he and the Graya team were genuinely excited by the opportunity to deliver a project as detailed and architectural as James Place on a street of this calibre,” Calvisi says. “We share a mutual respect for what it takes to bring something like this to life, and that’s been evident throughout the process.” It will be a traditional builder-developer relationship while Graya works towards creating something “better than James Street” down the river at Hamilton, as well as its billionaires’ row residential development in Byron Bay announced in November—a “one-of-a-kind beach house” that also retains land for the family. ▲ Rendering of inside the James Place plaza showing the levels of retail. At the James Place site, the Graya building team has excavated the basement, ahead of the slab pour, all preparing for nearly 200 carparking spaces and end-of-trip facilities. Calvisi says they expect to be staying around long after its anticipated completion in late 2026. “It’s not just a project. It’s a long-term contribution to a street I genuinely care about,” Calvisi says. “Byron and I will be involved well beyond completion, making sure it continues to evolve with integrity and reflects the independent, creative spirit that defines James Street.” The pair also have another Richards &amp; Spence-designed mixed-use building around the corner at 31 Doggett Street, Teneriffe, on the go. That project comprises 18 apartments, 670sq m of office and 550sq m of retail and is expected to be completed early next year, also with the help of Graya construction. ▲ Rendering of the Forme development at James Street. Calvisi and Griffith met about a decade ago and have also delivered multiple projects on the Gold Coast. That includes their most recent projects, Luna and Norfolk, Burleigh Heads apartment towers, both of which sold out before completion. But for now, the Forme team are back in Brisbane and crossing off the checklist for James Place, including finding tenants, an item Calvisi is not worried about. “The level of interest we’re seeing confirms that the market is ready for this next chapter,” Calvisi says. “James Street has always attracted high-calibre brands ... James Place builds on that by offering a new level of quality across both retail and commercial. “The goal is to find operators who complement what already exists on James Street while introducing something new and meaningful.”

Forme Pushes the Boundaries on James Street Precinct

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