53-storey tower to give tenants The Gabba views from pool deck
Plans have been launched to construct one of Brisbane’s tallest buildings outside the CBD in a twin tower proposal that could change the face of Woolloongabba.
Occupants of one of the tallest towers ever proposed outside Brisbane’s CBD will be able to watch action at The Gabba from their rooftop pool deck.
While The Gabba’s famous boundary-side pool was packed up at the end of the 2019-20 cricket season, residents at the twin-tower unit project could enjoy the action in comfort from a landscaped pool deck on level 35 of the west tower.
Views would be even more impressive from prolific Woolloongabba-area developer Sarazin’s planned “Stanley Quarter’’ east tower, which would soar 53 storeys above Stanley St.
At about 190m, if approved it would be the loftiest building in the suburb and close to the tallest building outside the CBD.
Sarazin, which completed the adjacent Silk 1 tower several years ago, was also planning to include a unique exhibition and events space focused on the area’s many medical and research hubs.
The so-called STEAMM Gallery and Garden would be a multi-level community and cultural facility hosting a year-round program of exhibitions, events and educational presentations.
Town planners Saunders Havill Group said in the development application the programming would synch with major citywide science events including the World Science Festival and National Science Week.
The public could also attend educational presentations from partner universities QUT, Griffith University and the University of Queensland.
The space would include curated art exhibitions and a STEAMM Art Prize, to be awarded to
Australian artists “pushing the boundaries’’.
“The STEAMM Gallery directly supports the (government’s) vision for Woolloongabba as a globally connected, dynamic and vibrant precinct, contributing to its role as a showcase of innovation and culture,’’ Saunders Havill said.
The twin towers site was in the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area, originally gazetted by the former Labor administration.
The new LNP government recently announced relaxed planning rules to incentivise developers in the PDA to build an estimated 2000 homes after only three applications were lodged.
Sarazin planned to deliver the towers in two stages, with the shorter west tower first, followed by the east tower and a public plaza, landscaped laneway and the STEAMM Gallery and Garden.
Economic Development Queensland, which would assess the project, said while it was generally supportive it had concerns about the building separation which was only 10-12m.
It also wanted more visitor car spaces and fewer residential spaces. A total of 614 were planned.
EDQ also queried the opening hours of the STEAMM facility and how many events would be free.
The two towers would deliver a total of 447 units plus streetfront retail, dining and offices.
There would be flood-free parking and a flood resilient design.
“The proposal positions Stanley Quarter as a catalyst project for Woolloongabba’s urban regeneration, aligning with EDQ’s vision for a walkable, transit-oriented and subtropical mixed-use centre,’’ Saunders Havill said.
