Plans for Bulimba Barracks to transform into retail precinct revealed

Plans have been lodged to partially demolish and transform the heritage listed Bulimba Barracks fabrication shed into a large mixed use retail precinct. SEE THE PLANS

A Taiwanese-backed developer who paid $63 million to buy the old Bulimba Barracks has lodged plans to develop a shopping precinct, including a supermarket, at its 800 home residential project.

Shayer Alliance Pty Ltd has lodged an application to reuse the existing fabrication shed at the former Bulimba Barracks on Apollo Rd.

It would be converted into a mix of uses including retail, supermarket and office spaces and other activities.

Outdoor seating and dining spaces would span along the entire eastern frontage of the site, enhanced by ‘high-quality’ landscaping, ample planting space, and large street trees.

The proposal also featured an open central area on the ground level serving as a public thoroughfare and flexible space for pop-up markets, community events and activities.

The existing fabricated shed would be partially demolished to make way for the two-storey development, covering 5400 sqm of gross floor area, with 153 car spaces.

The existing fabricated shed will be partially demolished and modified to facilitate the two-storey development, covering 5,391sqm of gross floor area. Picture: Brisbane City Council/DA Tracker

The ground floor would feature a boutique supermarket tenancy with a gross floor area of 1900 sqm and a supermarket tenancy with a covering 1600 sqm.

The mezzanine level included a gym and office/flexi-space activities, along with storage and amenities.

Commercial “back of house’’ loading facilities would be at the southern end of the workshop, with access from the East-West Ave.

The site, bounded by Riverfront, East-West North-South avenues, has frontage to the Brisbane River.

Outdoor seating and dining spaces will span the eastern side of the site. Picture: Brisbane City Council/DA Tracker

“The revitalisation plan involves preserving and repurposing the fabrication workshop, transforming it into a vibrant community hub,” the development application (DA) said.

“It will serve as a focal point of the masterplanned precinct, giving Bulimba and its new neighbourhood centre a distinctive visual identity.

“The design brief has been to craft a contemporary retail and community development that meets the commercial needs outlined in the master plan, while carefully preserving the historical significance of the local heritage listed fabrication shed.

Aerial view of the site.

“Shopfronts are provided with fixed glazing and operable doors in a sub-tropical interpretation of traditional high street tenancies.

“The proposed design allows a visual connection to activity within the neighbourhood centre.

“This design outcome is a focal point of the North-South Ave frontage.

“Activation is further enhanced by the pockets of outdoor seating and dining areas lining both Riverfront Ave and North-South Ave.”

Shayher Group recently lodged a change of use application for its 800 unit residential component of the Bulimba Barracks masterplanned area.