Urban Forest tower proposed for Southbank scrapped

Plans for a 32-storey apartment tower in Brisbane that was heralded as being one of the world’s greenest residential buildings have been scrapped, with the developer now looking to build something completely different.

Plans for a 32-storey apartment tower that was heralded as being one of the world’s greenest residential buildings have been scrapped after the development was deemed unfeasible.

Brisbane developer Aria Property Group had proposed building Urban Forest, which would have featured “backyards in the sky”, in Southbank.

But it can be revealed the developer has scrapped its $300 million plans and late last week submitted a new development application to Brisbane City Council for a 12-level medical facility instead.

Artist impression of Aria Property's Urban Forest.

Aria’s Development Manager Michael Hurley said the company thought Brisbane “was ready for Urban Forest however unfortunately circumstances have conspired against us”.

“It is a disappointing outcome and a lost opportunity to pioneer subtropical design in a vertical setting,” he said.

The development was originally designed to have 32 storeys however council approved it for 20 levels late last year.

The company said while Urban Forest had been mooted as one of the greenest projects ever to be built in Australia, objections to the scheme coupled with an “overheated” construction market rendered the project unfeasible.

It’s understood legal action taken by the West End Community Association over the building’s height also contributed to the change of plans.

The developer’s new medical project, worth $250 million, has been earmarked for the same site and would get underway pending approvals in 2023 ahead of its delivery in 2025.

Aria said it was confident of its prospects on the large corner site, which is directly opposite the Convention Centre and Southbank Parklands and is only 500 metres from the Queensland Children’s Hospital and the Mater Hospital.

Commercial Manager Michael Zaicek said the site was perfect for major medical infrastructure.

“Commercial discussions are underway with a variety of potential users attracted to the super prime location adjacent to Brisbane’s premier lifestyle precinct,” he said.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Urban Forest would have been the world’s greenest residential building with thousands of trees and numerous features that would have reduced its carbon footprint.

“Given the popularity of these design features, I was confident that Urban Forest would have also been a catalyst for many more sustainable buildings in Brisbane in the future,” he said.

“It’s very disappointing Urban Forest won’t go ahead but I’m still hopeful that many six green star buildings will be part of Brisbane’s skyline in the future, enhancing our reputation for being the greenest capital city in Australia.”

Plans for a residential 'green' building have been scrapped. A medical facility has been proposed instead, as seen left.