Gabba Green Light Bolsters Brisbane BtR Pipeline

Brisbane’s build-to-rent pipeline is filling fast with the green light being given to a 12-storey apartment tower on the city’s southside

Draped with a “green veil”, it will comprise 130 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including 15 units designed for residents with a disability.

The proposed build-to-rent is earmarked for 2026sq m on three lots at 62-68 Carl Street, Woolloongabba, across the road from Buranda Village shopping centre and close to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Developer Stalcaire, led by Brisbane businessman Ray Armitage, is behind the project.

“The development is well-timed in terms of other approvals and infrastructure works in the vicinity, including the Buranda Village redevelopment, Hanlon Park redevelopment and, further afield, the recent announcements relating to the plans for the Gabba stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” the planning documents said.

“The applicant intends to hold the land for an extended period of time, thereby supporting the proposed build-to-rent accommodation model.”

The Cottee Parker-designed scheme is for a tower elevated on columns to provide an open landscaped ground level and visual urban marker.

“The building has been carefully curated and considered and the design provides several key benefits to the local community,” the development application said.

It also will comprise 510sq m of communal space, including a rooftop garden. As well, there would be 167 carparking spaces across three basement levels. 

Vertical landscaping is to be integrated into the tower’s facade providing “a green veil that trails down the building and responds to the sub-tropical Brisbane environment”.

▲ Render of the proposed 12-storey build-to-rent tower at 62-68 Carl Street, Woolloongabba.

Under the plans approved by the Brisbane City Council, a flexible approach to the accessible units is to be undertaken “such that they could either be used for NDIS recipients or as mainstream multiple dwelling units”.

Brisbane build-to-rent developer Arklife also recently has been given the nod for its third inner-city project, a 31-storey tower on a 2781sq m site at 50 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley.

The BVN-designed tower will comprise 327 residential apartments plus 1750sq m of office space and 680sq m of ground-floor retail.

Meanwhile, Canadian-owned Brookfield is making the move into the Australian build-to-rent market with a two-tower, 560-apartment project at Hamilton.

The Fender Katsalidis-designed towers rising 23 storeys are planned for a site at 11-23 Macarthur Avenue. They would include a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. 

As well, the development would feature a building concierge, resort-style pool and gym, podium recreation spaces, barbecue areas, health and wellness spa, and co-working spaces to complement the retail and cafe district in the neighbourhood.