Twin apartment towers on the rise in trendy inner-Brisbane suburb

A decade after a fire in a neighbouring business sparked an ambitious redevelopment proposal, construction has started at this inner-city Brisbane retail hub.

Holdsworth St buildings on the Maasra site are demolished.

CONSTRUCTION has started on the $101 million Maasra Apartments development at Coorparoo.

The project was initially approved in 2010, shortly after council’s Eastern Corridor Renewal Strategy changed height restrictions on the site to eight storeys, but had been on the backburner for five years after the financial downturn in 2011.

Owners of Old Cleveland Rd business Tilermade the Karam family decided to redevelop the site after a fire that broke out in a neighbouring building in 2008 destroyed the rear of the building and warehouse and stock.

More than a decade later, demolition crews have begun to remove the Tilermade buildings and neighbouring blocks.

The 4000 sqm site is bound by Old Cleveland Rd, Holdsworth St and St Leonards St.

Maasra Apartments is a mixed-use residential tower being developed by Karam Group with 102 apartments across eight floors, retail and a restaurant on the ground floor, commercial office space on level one and a 328 space car park.

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Karam Group Director Anthony Karam said it was exciting to see demolition start on the old existing buildings to begin the process of construction and the site’s transformation.

“We wanted to make the most of this prime location by creating spacious apartments with expansive views and resort-style amenities for residents to enjoy,” he said.

“Our focus has been on developing a community where residents can feel a real sense of style and sophistication about where they are living.

“Maasra will extend Coorparoo’s village-style hub with boutique retail and dining, plus 470 sqm of parkland to create a sense of place for the whole community.”

Brothers Anthony and Jason Karam at the Maasra display office in Coorparoo. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

Maasra Apartments Marketing Manager and TOTAL Property Group Managing Director Adrian Parsons said it was exciting to see construction start with Coorparoo being a major growth suburb.

“We continue to see a high level of interest in the remaining available apartments as more people recognise the opportunity presented by this clever and contemporary new development,” Mr Parsons said.

“Brisbane’s city-fringe areas are in high demand from home buyers and tenants, and there is a limited availability of new apartment developments in high growth areas like Coorparoo.

Maasra’s range of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments are priced from $435,000 to $1.7 million.

An artist's impression of Maasra apartments.