Downtown forest: Urban plaza to transform Newstead

After a marathon eight months locked in talks with Council, a Singaporean-backed property giant has unveiled eye-popping designs for a residential highrise in this trendy inner-city suburb.

An ugly carpark and light industrial building in the heart of trendy Newstead could be transformed into an urban forest with cafes, retail outlets and a waterfall.

The twin-tower project is well above the local height limit but Singapore-based Frasers Property proposed “stepping down’’ the 17 levels to blend in better with units fronting Ella and Chester streets.

The area, near a popular indoor climbing venue, trendy cafes and homewares stores, is also lined with stunning character houses, particularly further up Chester St.

Artist's impression of the cascading plants.

Artist's impression of how upper level apartments could look.

Frasers Property Limited last week submitted an application for a 16-storey tower with level 17 rooftop pool, 142 units and 10 low-rise townhouses, to be known as Chester and Morse.

The 3000sq m site was bought last July and is a short walk to the James St entertainment hub.

The Rothelowman architects design includes four levels of basement car parking for 250 vehicles, but planner Urbis said in the development application that there would be more street parks — an important factor in an area where motorists fight for parking.

“The proposal will deliver high-quality housing with a highly inclusive accessible public plaza and ground plane that creates a vibrant centre,’’ Urbis wrote in the DA.

Artist's impression of the ground level.

The urban plaza on the ground level.

“The development also represents an environmentally sustainable design outcome that is responsive to the rapidly developing locational attributes of Fortitude Valley within proximity to the James St precinct.

“The proposed design exhibits sophisticated facade treatments, along with landscaping and open space provision to enhance the streetscape and create vertical living greenery with visual relief.’’

There will be offices on the level two podium to provide working from home opportunities.

Lush cascading landscaping will contribute to a 6.5 Green Star energy rating.

Council officers raised concerns with Frasers at a pre-lodgement meeting in May about site cover, bulk and scale of the project, which saw a redesign to include the townhouses.

Aerial view of the site, in the heart of Newstead.

“The residential tower has been carefully designed to transition down into low-set terrace townhouses commensurate with the lower density development along Morse St and the adjacent medium density residential apartments along Ella and Chester streets,’’ Urbis wrote.

“The refined built form has reduced significantly the overall site cover and bulk and scale of the development.

A pedestrian laneway connecting Chester St with the James St precinct will run through the site.

The two rows of townhouses will have their own terrace garden.

More details at Council’s online development application portal developmenti. Search for application A005938358