Sarazin seeks to add height, science and arts gallery to Woolloongabba towers

A development giant has revealed plans to add to two mega residential towers at a suburb in Brisbane’s inner-south, which will be the centre of the 2032 Olympic Games. SEE THE PLANS

A development giant has sparked anger from residents of a suburb in Brisbane’s inner-south, which will be the centre of the 2032 Olympic Games, after seeking to extend two mega residential towers as well as make an addition rarely seen in these types of projects.

Sarazin has made a letterbox drop to residents in Woolloongabba saying they are seeking to amend a development application already approved for two 20-storey towers on Stanley St as part of the Silk Lane development, which is opposite The Gabba.

In the letter, Sarazin say they are are requesting to add additional height to remaining buildings, one for 32-storeys and the other for 25-storeys, and to also add a gallery for science and arts.

Artist impressions of the towers as part of Silk Lane in Woolloongabba.

The two towers are in addition to Silk One, which has already been built.

As part of the request, 40 apartments will be added to the project, the buildings will include larger apartments to cater for families and downsizing retirees and will also include six-levels of parking.

“The proposed extra height aligns with local and state government ambitions for the Gabba as a model for high quality, high density residential communities located with public transport infrastructure and investment,” the letter said.

Artist impressions of the towers as part of Silk Lane in Woolloongabba from the original development application.

“The proposed development builds on the existing renewal and revitalisation within the Gabba and Logan Rd precincts.

“The new design includes a contemporary gallery with an educational program focused on the arts and science, as well as a bookshop, public garden space, retail tailored to residents’ needs and bars and dining.”

Sarazin also said the STEAMM gallery would be a destination for the local community and city visitors and was a groundbreaking project for Queensland.

The three mixed-use residential towers were approved on the site in 2017 and no change to the applications have been submitted to the Brisbane City Council for the remaining two towers yet.

Artist impressions of the towers as part of Silk Lane in Woolloongabba.

The request has angered local residents with some saying it was nothing more than a “cash grab”.

“With the likelihood of East Brisbane state school closing where are the families supposed to send there children to school?” one resident said.

“The carparking is bad enough, especially on game day [at The Gabba].

“The only way I would support this application is if there are two car parks per unit and East Brisbane state school isn’t closed.

“We have a great science centre and a world class art gallery within walking distance we don’t need another.”

Councillor for The Gabba Ward (Greens) Jonathan Sriranganathan said the existing approval for 20-storeys was more than enough.

The view of The Gabba stadium from the Silk Lane Development in Woolloongabba. Picture: Lachie Millard

“If the council approves a developer to build five, 10 or 12 storeys higher than the existing neighbourhood plan anticipates, that would be like gifting the developer millions of dollars in additional vertical real estate, without the public getting any benefit in return,” he said.

“Sarazin aren’t seeking height exemptions to deliver more affordable housing for people on low-incomes – they’ve clearly said they’re doing this in order to create larger luxury apartments that are targeted at the wealthier end of the market.

“The developers are probably worried about financial viability because the Olympics means the Gabba Stadium area will be a massive, noisy construction site for the next decade, and a lot of people won’t want to live there.”

Brisbane City Council’s Civic Cabinet Chair for Planning Adam Allan said The Greens liked to oppose nearly every development and then complain about housing affordability.

“Australia is in the grips of a housing crisis and housing supply is critical in ensuring people have access to safe and secure housing,” he said.

Sarazin, which is holding a community information session at the Silk Lane showroom on August 25 from 4pm, were contacted for further comment.