UQ To Open New CBD Campus

The University of Queensland has submitted a development application at 295 and 299 Queen Street to occupy levels 6 and 7 of the Custom Credit House building.

The site is rectangular in shape having an area of 834 sqm with frontages to Queen Street and Edison Lane (to the rear). The faculty of Business,  Economics and Law seeks to occupy the premises with floor plans designed by Woods Bagot.

299 Queen StreetLevel 6 is targeted to be a teaching facility for MBA & Exec Ed programs/office space. Level 7 is targeted to be used for alumni & advancement related activities. The Chancellor’s Office and exec support staff would be located on this floor to be able to engage with alumni and VIP guests. The proposal is for occupation of part of the premises only (levels 6 & 7) and no new or additional gross floor area is proposed and no other floors within the building will be impacted by the proposal.

A UQ spokeswoman confirmed to BrisbaneTimes.com.au that the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law had leased the site, but said she was unable to provide further information about the plans.

According to the news site, the seven-storey interwar building, which was constructed in 1926 from a design by Melbourne architects Gibbs, Finlay and Morsby and Brisbane-based Thomas BM Wightman, originally served as the base for National Mutual Life. Suncorp Insurance bought the property in 1988.

The Queensland Heritage Register recognises the building as "a fine example of an interwar commercial building reflecting the dignity and solidity of a financial institution".

The site is included under several overlays including the Flood Overlay (Brisbane River Flood Planning Area 5 sub-category) - on the fringe of the Council's River Flood Planning Area. To confirm under City Plan 2014 Educational Establishment is identified in the ‘Difficult to Evacuate’ and Vulnerable’ activity groups as such the level of assessment for the flood overlay triggers Code Assessment.

During significant storm events, Creek Street could potentially be impacted by overland flow from the upstream catchment. In such events, access to and from Edison Lane could potentially be cut-off for a short time period, however patrons will still have pedestrian and vehicular access from Queen Street.