Plans for seven-storey New Farm redevelopment by Spyre Group angers neighbours

Just how much is a view of the Story Bridge worth? Quite a lot according to penthouse owners who are opposing plans for a luxury riverside tower that will “wipe out” their prized vistas in one of Brisbane’s most exclusive suburbs.

High profile New Farm penthouse owners have joined the fight to stop their sweeping views being “wiped out” by a proposed luxury development next door.

Leading lawyer Jim Peterson and wife Catherine have even invited Brisbane City Council officers to come to their unit to see what is at stake if a 7-storey complex is allowed to go ahead on a prime riverfront parcel in Moray St.

They argue views of Story Bridge in particular should be classed as more than “secondary” and they wouldn’t have bought their $3.15m unit almost 10 years ago if not for the iconic sight which wows guests who come to their home in the CIEL complex.

Owners of units in the CIEL development at New Farm have lodged objections against a neighbouring proposed development that would block views such as this.

Veteran Brisbane entrepreneur Norris Coughlan has also objected saying “incredible” views from his home, purchased for $5.7m about 13 years ago, will be affected by the “over development”.

Plans to knock down an old 5-storey block and replace it with a 7-storey boutique tower including rooftop pool, suspension bridge and car lift, at 65 Moray St have been lodged by boutique Brisbane developer Spyre Group.

Under current planning outcomes for that part of New Farm, developers wanting to go higher than 15 metres must consider the impact to neighbours’ views of the Brisbane River and three “landmark” sites listed as New Farm Park, Teneriffe Park and Holy Spirit Church.

Views of the Story Bridge are not protected with the developer arguing its impact to CIEL apartment holders is secondary.

Mr Peterson, who is a partner at law firm Baker McKenzie, said that suggestion was “ludicrous”.

Views from one of the CIEL apartments when it was last sold.

“The significance of the view of the Story Bridge would be understood by any person living in Brisbane (especially those close to the CBD),” he states in his submission the council.

“These views are not regarded as being “secondary” by us or by any person who has ever visited us at our apartment (comments and compliments from tradesmen, guests and other visitors regularly and repeatedly reinforce this).

“Comments by the applicant which might suggest that our views of the Story Bridge should be considered as “secondary” only are disingenuous and ludicrous and should, with respect, be rejected.”

Views of the Story Bridge seen through the kitchen window of an apartment in New Farm are at stake if a new development goes ahead.

Mr Coughlan noted the “incredible views to the city and Story Bridge commanded a high purchase price at the time” of buying.

“Regarding views to the City and Story Bridge they said are secondary which is clearly not the case,” Mr Coughlan said in his submission.

“We are extremely concerned and worried that the development will effect any future values of the units in our complex.

“One 3 bedroom unit has just sold under the original purchase price which is not the current trend for a quality complex like CIEL.”

Reports lodged with council on behalf of the developer state that “private river views from potentially sensitive adjoining buildings have been explored” and the proposal would have “some impact on the side views from CIEL to the Story Bridge”.

“The more expansive Brisbane River views to the southwest, considered to be the primary view, will be unimpacted,” the town planning report states.

“Further, the Brisbane River and views to it are specifically named in (neighbourhood planning outcomes) whereas the Story Bridge is not named as a view or a landmark site.”