Moray St redevelopment to knock down block and build 7-storey ‘boutique’ waterfront unit tower
Plans to knock down a 1960s apartment block on the river in New Farm and replace it with a luxury seven-storey development have hit a few snags with council and neighbours.
QLD Business
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Plans to knock down a 1960s apartment block on the river in New Farm and replace it with an 8-storey luxury tower with a car lift have been lodged with council.
However the developer, a company linked to boutique Brisbane outfit Spyre Group who just completed a $41m redevelopment in the same suburb, has already reduced the height of its original proposal at 65 Moray St.
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The revised version is now out for public comment with one objector threatening to oppose the development in court if its approved by Brisbane City Council.
At stake are sweeping views of the river and Story Bridge from units worth multi-millions.
In July Moray Developments, whose directors are Spyre Group’s Daniel Laruccia and Andrew Malouf, lodged plans to knock down the current 5-storey block and construct an 8-storey building with roof terrace, gym and pool accessed via a suspension bridge from the street.
It has secured permission from the current owners of all 10 units on the site to develop the 1030sq m battle-axe shaped block and its urban planners said it held a prelodgment meeting in March 2020 “where council provided general supprt for redevelopemnt of the site”.
It pitched 8 units spread across and an entire floor each with 26 car spots in the basement accessed via a ramp and car lift with the project offering “high quality design that takes advantage of its inner-city riparian location affording future occupants sweeping views of the river and city high-rises” according to documents lodged with council.
However, in August council staff replied that eight storeys was not consistent with the expectations for the New Farm/Teneriffe neighbourhood plan where five storeys was expected and the project needed better outdoor communal space.
Council staff also noted the proposed gross floor area was more than double the maximum allowed for the site and raised other issues including river setbacks, how large trees would survive excavation and how it would impact on views of neighbouring units.
Late last month the developer submitted revised plans for 7-units with the top two levels to become a “split level penthouse with the upper level now presenting as a pop up” meaning the overall height of the building was reduced to 5-7 storeys.
It also submitted there was no utility in providing larger areas of communal open space in “boutique developments of this nature” and views from neighbouring units would not be significantly impacted.
Andrew Malouf said the proposal meant a reduction in units from the current 10 to 7 and would be finished to a very high standard.
“It’s one of only two sites that has direct access to the boardwalk that leads to Howard Smith Wharves,” he said.
“And one of the last pieces of river front land available on Moray St.
“The level of finishes are going to be next level.”
Objections have been lodged including from the next door Ciel, where owners have paid up to $5.7m for units with commanding views, and another who raised court action if it proceeds.
“I am completely and utterly in opposition of this development,” the objector whose name had been redacted said in a submission lodged on Friday.
“I will be exercising legal appeal rights if this is approved in its current form.”
Public submissions close on October 23.
