Seymour Group Puts Forward Eight-Tower Precinct for Brisbane Fringe

Seymour Group has lodged plans for a $600-million mixed-use precinct for a 2ha industrial site in Brisbane’s inner north.

The soon-to-be-vacant site at 99 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead was picked up by the developer for $61 million midway through 2019 from the nation’s second-largest automotive retailer, AP Eagers.

Seymour Group’s proposed eight-building project will sit alongside JGL Properties’ four-tower Newstead Series. That development, now complete, features 200 apartments, 2000sq m of outdoor living space, a 25m pool and outdoor cinema.

The developer has enlisted Bureau Proberts, the same architecture firm responsible for Newstead Series, to design the sprawling residential development, which will sit above large-format retail and commercial space.

The masterplanned development, Newstead Green, will be split into two clusters and delivered in two stages.

The project’s first stage, towards the far end of the site abutting Newstead Series, will include four buildings from 11 to 16 storeys.

The residential buildings will share a four-storey podium, containing car parking, which will be topped with landscaped and recreational space.

The second stage, fronting Breakfast Creek Road, will include four buildings, ranging from 14 to 17 storeys, rising from a four-storey podium.

The dual stages will be split with a pedestrian walkway across the centre of the site, linking Evelyn and Austin streets.

The developer also plans to improve the public space between Gasworks to Newstead Park with another cross-block link, as well as providing two green tree-lined boulevards.

The masterplan will also include two 2500sq m supermarkets and a row of retail showrooms along the 100m frontage to Breakfast Creek Road.

Seymour Group senior director Daniel Farquhar told The Urban Developer the overall vision for the project had been shaped by a multitude of stakeholders as well as an intensive community outreach program.

“We’ve spent a great deal of time engaging with the community and business leaders to understand what will sustain long-term, high-value jobs,” Farquhar said.

“To do this we need to create a vibrant village with fantastic amenity.

“This amenity, which includes ample parking, will not just create jobs internally, but revitalise surrounding business as well.”

To date, 15 briefings have been conducted with key stakeholders including the Brisbane City Council, surrounding landholders and a neighbouring biomedical company.

The developer has also had four meetings with surrounding body corporates and seven briefings with residents.

It has also distributed more than 2000 newsletters to households and businesses in Newstead and Bowen Hills.

Pending approvals, the project will commence in 2023 once AP Eagers completes its lease and relocates to the Brisbane AutoMall at the Brisbane Airport.

The development, at peak construction, is expected to create more than 2000 jobs, and 800 long-term jobs once realised including research and development, office, retail, showrooms and bespoke manufacturing and innovation industries.