CBD hotel latest major highrise project to shrink as tough times bite

Brisbane is turning into a town of tiny towers as the worst property market in decades forces developers to downsize. The latest is a CBD hotel, now less than half its original height.

The proposed boutique hotel, heritage produce building and Turbot St underpass.

What would have been one of Brisbane’s skinniest tall buildings has been cut in half as the toughest market conditions in decades continues to bite.

Plans for residential and commercial towers across the city have been shrinking rapidly.

Others have been put on indefinite hold, including the ORIA twin residential-unit development on Gregory Tce in Spring Hill and the massive The Aviary residential-office-retail towers in Toowong.

And only two weeks ago Justin Ham’s Hambros Pty Ltd abandoned a 275-apartment proposal at 74 Charlotte St in Wynnum’s CBD.

The latest shrinky dink highrise is a CBD hotel which has now been reimagined as a boutique hotel less than half its original height.

The Contal Properties proposal was now for just 60, one-bed hotel rooms spread over 12 storeys, down from 27 storeys under a 2021 plan that had now been withdrawn.

Artist's impression of how the hotel would look from street level. Image: CPO Architects

Render of the proposed Turbot St underpass.

It would still have a 25m rooftop lap pool with barbecue area, garden and gym, plus a bar.

The tiny 397 sqm site, less than 12m wide, was approved only for 12 storeys.

Council officers expressed concerns at the previous, much taller hotel plan.

The former Fruit and Produce Exchange building.

The site was next to the Turbot Street underpass, recently approved for a park, as well as the 1906-era Brisbane Fruit and Produce Exchange building, once part of the old Roma St fruit and vegetable markets.

A one-storey building on the 44 Roma St site, presently tenanted by popular dumpling restaurant Steamed, would be demolished.

Town planners Urbicus said in the development application (DA) documents that the hotel would revitalise the streetscape with “human-scale’’ features such as a foyer, reception areas, awnings, landscaping and glazing.

Urbicus pointed out that there was a 38-level building nearby, as well as the large Pullman and Mercure hotels.

“The proposal also captures the scenic views of the city and Roma Street Parklands through the (CPO Architects) design,” it said.