Koichi Takada Designs 71-Storey Brisbane CBD Tower

James and John Kaias’s development company KS Property has filed plans for an ambitious 71-storey residential tower at 25 Mary Street. 

The Victoria-based developers engaged starchitect Koichi Takada and Brisbane development consultancy group Fine Grain to redesign the project. 

The new plans for a sculptural tower would supersede the BVN-designed commercial tower on the 2700sq m site, which won approval in June, 2022

According to RP Data, James and John Kaias amalgamated the apartments on the site for more than $35 million in July of 2019, and demolition works were now under way.

The 71-storey subtropical landscaped tower would comprise 527 apartments, which have been put forward to help address the shortage of quality housing stock in Brisbane’s inner city. 

Architect Koichi Takada said the project would include four separate elevated residents’ parks, which acted as nests inserting into the building. 

Takada is well-known for his iconic design, which fuses nature with architecture. 

“The architecture is designed around four distinct vantage points as the building extends to the clouds, with expansive sky views, scenic mountain views, serene Brisbane River views and lush botanical views,” Takada said. 

▲ Koichi Takada is known for his ability to fuse architecture and nature in tower design.

Fine Grain founder Simon White worked alongside Takada to create the vision of the project. 

“The building will become a benchmark for sustainable and subtropical high-density housing with abundant amenity and truly breathable highrise homes in the sky,” White said. 

The building would include more than 7000sq m of communal space spread across five different recreation levels including pools, wellness retreats, private dining rooms, gymnasiums, cinemas and golf simulators. 

It would also provide dedicated apartments for guests of residents to stay in while visiting. 

White said while tall buildings usually removed outdoor spaces, this building would provide wind-protected balconies, which he said was reminiscent of the Queenslander verandas.

The building is targeting a 5 Star Green Star residential rating, which would be the first for a tall building in Brisbane.  

The developers also own a site at New Farm with plans for five apartments designed by Tim Stewart Architecture, which were due to be completed next year. 

John Kaias is the director of the family-owned Abcor Proprietary Limited, a Melbourne-based engineering company.