The projects which will transform Brisbane in 2023 revealed
From a bridge with its own restaurant to an amazing new green oasis in the heart of the city – we take a look at the projects set to reshape Brisbane in 2023. SEE THE LIST
South West
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The construction boom will keep on booming in Brisbane this year with hundreds of major housing and infrastructure projects about to kick-off or due for completion.
From two huge green bridges to the Cross River Rail and Metro transit projects, a long list of luxury high-rises and even a supermarket where boaties can tie up before a spot of grocery shopping – the city is on track to be transformed.
We take a look at 35 of the exciting developments coming to the city in 2023.
ASCOT
Ascot Green residential precinct
In September last year Mirvac revealed it would fast-track construction of the latest, $135 million stage of Australia’s first racecourse community, Ascot Green.
Work on the 14-storey Charlton House – a partnership with Eagle Farm Racecourse owner Brisbane Racing Club – started just three months after its launch and was due to be completed later this year.
More than $70 million worth of apartments has already sold, mostly to local buyers.
AUCHENFLOWER/FAIRFIELD/SALISBURY/ALBION
Train station upgrades
Main construction at Auchenflower station started in August, 2020 but is still in progress.
It is part of a $500 million program of accessibility upgrades across the southeast Queensland rail network to help people with disabilities, mobility challenges, or parents with prams.
The carpark has been closed while work progressed, as well as a closure of Auchenflower Tce.
Information display screens and other minor works should be finished early in 2023.
Planning is well advanced on accessibility upgrades at Lindum, Wooloowin, Morningside and Banyo stations and another at Buranda.
BULIMBA
Bulimba Barracks
Billionaire Taiwanese developer John Lin was expected to finally start work this year on plans to transform the Bulimba area with his renewal of the old naval barracks, after Council approved the controversial project late last year.
It became an election issue in the 2022 federal campaign.
The 20.73ha site, one of the biggest riverfront properties ever to come on the market, will become a luxury estate with 855 homes, including townhouses.
There will be a riverfront public park and protection for the site’s heritage barracks.
BURANDA
Wee Hur transport-oriented development
This massive project, rejigged in November last year, includes more than 600 units and office space.
Originally meant to be a transport-oriented development, Singapore’s Wee Hur bought the site in 2014.
It has now proposed four towers ranging from seven to 28 stories on a site next to the railway station, with 700-plus car parks.
The buildings include a purpose-built student accommodation facility, residential apartment building (an aged care tower has been dropped) and two office towers.
Work was expected to start as soon as possible after council approval.
CARSELDINE
Beams Rd intersection/park n ride
Main construction works were expected to start early in 2023 and wrap up in 2024.
There will be a new park n ride as well as a multistage upgrade of the Beams/Dorville roads intersection.
Stage one will upgrade the corridor between Handford and Dorville roads and include new shared user paths from Handford to Lacey roads.
Stage two will upgrade the corridor between Dorville and Cowie roads.
Stage three will upgrade the corridor between Cowie and Lacey roads.
A key part of the safety/congestion improvements was widening sections of Beams Rd from two to four lanes to create a consistent four-lane corridor.
The Dorville Rd intersection will get traffic lights and pedestrian crossings and a new shared footpath underpass at Cabbage Tree Creek.
Traffic lights at the intersection with Handford Rd will now include dedicated left-turn lanes, while new traffic lights will be built at the intersection with Cowie Rd, plus two new U-turn facilities at the Cowie Rd intersection.
CBD/NEWSTEAD
Green bridges
Work is proceeding rapidly at the sites of both the Breakfast Creek, Newstead, and Kangaroo Point green bridges, with barges on site at Breakfast Creek for several months.
The Kangaroo Point link will include several cafes/restaurants on the bridge itself and is being billed by council as a destination in its own right.
Work started in February last year after council awarded the contract to Connect Brisbane, led by BESIX Watpac.
The expected completion date is sometime in 2024.
New walking and riding connections will be created from the bridge landing at Scott St through to Main and Deakin streets in Kangaroo Point.
Star Casino/Neville Bonner pedestrian bridge
The pandemic actually sped up work on these projects, which are racing ahead and are now expected to open in the second half of 2023.
The dramatic zigzag spans of the bridge, which will connect the CBD to South Bank near the Nepalese pagoda, are now about halfway across the river, with some of the deck in place.
After the foundations were laid the casino itself has shot up, with the final shape now becoming clearer to motorists driving past on the Riverside Expressway.
The Queens Wharf project will eventually also include residential towers with construction already started on towers five and six.
It was forecast to attract an extra 1.4 million tourists a year to Brisbane.
There will be a skydeck 100m above Willam St, 1000-plus premium hotel rooms, up to 2000 units, 50 restaurants, bars and cafes, giant ballroom, luxury retail outlets and open green space.
HAMILTON
Portside Wharf
Multiplex announced a $20 million revamp of its riverfront Portside Wharf precinct late last year, including new restaurants.
The upgrade was the first since the dining and residential precinct opened 16 years ago.
Through a partnership with Cavill Architects and city shapers Urbis, work is expected to be finished by December 2023.
Views and access to the river will be enhanced through an extended entry plaza and main street, with more shading and landscaping for year-round outdoor dining and a refreshed and activated riverfront.
New tenancies will be created with defined dining, retail and entertainment sub-precincts.
HERSTON
Victoria Park Transformation
Council plans to transform the old Victoria Park golf course into a green space rivalling New York’s famed Central Park.
A draft masterplan for the $83 million, 45ha site was released late last year.
Public consultation has already finished for one of the first changes, a bike “pump’’ track near the Murray Spinaza bush reserve.
There would also be a “treehouse’’ with bar, evening light shows, evening activations and events, including concerts for up to 20,000 people, a 14,000 sqm pathway loop, a 3580 sqm carpark about three storeys high, visitor centre, visitor plaza, 2km and 7km pathways, an Adventure Valley with high-ropes courses, pedestrian and bike bridges, edible community garden, activity lake for kayakers, artificial waterholes and two-storey administration building.
INDOOROOPILLY
Moggill Rd/Coonan St intersection
Construction work started last year at this $180 million-plus conversion of one of Brisbane’s busiest roundabouts into a signalised T-intersection have vexed locals, with loss of trees, noise and monster traffic jams.
But council and the RACQ say the short-term pain is worth the long-term gain in terms of safety and time savings.
It is due for completion in early 2024, with some other improvements on a nearby stretch of Moggill Rd also under way.
INNER CITY
Cross River Rail/Metro
These two projects have sparked much controversy and political point scoring between the LNP-dominated Brisbane City Council and Labor State Government, not to mention cost overruns.
But once completed they will revolutionise public transport from the inner south to the CBD.
Work on council’s Metro is well advanced, including a major underground station at South Bank, with depot construction due for completion in mid-2023.
The electric, high-capacity metros will operate on 21km of dedicated busways, with 18 stations from Eight Mile Plains to Roma St and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to the University of Queensland.
They will be turn-up-and-go services, operating 24 hours on weekends, with no timetables needed.
The State Government’s 10.2km Cross River Rail project will connect Dutton Park to Bowen Hills including 5.9km of twin tunnels under the river and CBD.
The second river crossing will free up the present heavy rail bottleneck into the CBD, which is now at capacity.
The project will deliver four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert and Roma streets, two upgraded stations at Dutton Park and Exhibition, six upgraded stations from Salisbury to Fairfield and also three new Gold Coast stations.
Final works were due for completion in 2024.
KANGAROO POINT
Three-tower Lambert St project, Skye Apartments
Work started late last year on the Pikos Group’s Skye apartments, which founder Pedro Pikos billed as “Brisbane’s best building’’.
It will feature top quality stone and wood finishes, Swiss appliances and a jaw-dropping public skydeck with a bar, restaurant and pool 15 floors above one of highest spots in the city.
About $200 million in unit sales have already been inked.
Pikos’ La Storia $350 million, three-tower, 278-unit project at 108 Lambert St is also well progressed, with completion on the first tower, La Storia Una, due by 2024.
The 15-level tower will have sweeping views of the Story Bridge and New Farm and an infinity-edge pool.
Each apartments would feature timber floorboards, full height cabinetry, custom stone island benches and integrated premium appliances, fixtures and fittings.
Pre-sales have been strong.
Thornton unit tower
This riverfront unit high-rise, where work is well underway by the ubiquitous Hutchinson Builders, sparked a fair bit of controversy when it was proposed in 2017.
A century-old former Water Police building, which has been perched atop steel girders for much of last year, recently was moved into place in front of the tower being developed by JGL Properties.
It will have just 13 full-floor units with panoramic views of the Story Bridge, CBD, Botanic Gardens and South Bank.
Acclaimed architect Liam Proberts, arts patron Philip Bacon, chef/restaurateur Thierry Galichet and artist Ralph Wilson teamed up to design the building.
Story House
Pellicano Group revealed plans in late 2021 for Story House, an 86-unit, eight-level tower with rooftop pool, yoga lawn and lounge.
Work should start early this year after council approved the plans in November.
The project, named after the iconic Story Bridge, is on the doorstep of a lifestyle precinct which will also be at the centre of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
MANLY
Twin-tower unit project
Work finally started on this $50 million project in September after almost two years of delays, with more than 50 per cent of units sold by that time.
DeMartini Fletcher’s dual-tower, 43-unit project on Stratton Tce, Manly is expected to be finished by mid-2024 with the developers believing it will take the harbourside village to a new level.
Construction was initially scheduled to start in 2020 before Covid-19 put a stop to any plans, then inflation and the cost of material and building supplies following the pandemic delayed the project further.
MILTON
The Ambrose, The Manning residential tower
Mosaic Property Group inked $70 million in sales in just six weeks at this tower in the booming precinct near the Park Rd high street.
Construction has been brought forward for the $100 million building, on Railway Tce, with work now due to start in early 2023.
It will have 113 units over 21 levels.
“Quality ground floor retail will deliver much-needed activation and rejuvenation, creating the opportunity to cultivate a sense of community within the building and the wider local area,” Mosaic founder Brook Monahan said.
MT COOT-THA
Lumina Nightwalk
Sydney-based company, Light Dreaming, earlier this year revealed plans for a dramatic laser light show within Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
LightDreaming’s Paul Chenard described it as a coup for Brisbane.
“The proposed Brisbane show would be the first time this type of program has ever been seen in the southern hemisphere,’’ he said.
The nightwalk is the brainchild of Canada’s Moment Factory, founded by Dominic Audet and Sakchin (Saky) Bessette.
If approved, it will open in September on Friday and Saturday nights, and possibly other nights, over an initial period of five years, with the option of a second five-year period.
REDCLIFFE
Mirada Suttons Beach
Horan Developments has brought forward stage two sales due to overwhelming interest in its 124 luxurious 124 unit complex on Marine Pde.
Half of stage one sold in just four months.
Construction is set to finish on the two eight-storey towers by Christmas next year, which will include a 25m pool, games room, library and glorious ocean views.
Each unit will have three bedrooms and a balcony.
The block was cleared several years ago, with developers first being granted approval by Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2017.
Council first gave approval for a 136 unit development, but the site changed hands and Horan Developments significantly altered the plans.
Social housing tower
This seven-storey, 82-apartment development in the heart of Redcliffe will provide affordable accommodation for those over 55.
Moreton Bay Regional council approved the Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) plans last September.
All apartments will be long-term social and affordable rental accommodation.
Construction will start early this year with a 15-month build. The first residents should be able to move in during 2024.
Newport Marketplace
Axis Capital has developed this $30 million project.
Stage one opened late last year including a health precinct with doctors’ surgery, pharmacy, dentist and physio, French cafe, sushi outlet, three other food and beverage outlets, a gym, hairdresser, nail salon, lifestyle retailer and real estate agency.
Stage two works will include a sports club/tavern and medical, lifestyle, food and beverage precincts.
Construction of stage two is expected soon and should be completed within about 18 months.
The centre overlooks Jabiru Canal and will soon have a small marina, allowing boaties to stop for supplies, a bite to eat, a visit to the doctor or a haircut.
The anchor tenant is an IGA Supermarket
SCARBOROUGH
The Oscar
More than 60 per cent of apartments in the Oscar Scarborough development have been sold and construction got underway in late 2022.
The Oscar will include eight two-bed units and 32 three-bed units across 10 storeys, with 470 sqm of retail space on the ground floor.
BPG Developments took ownership of the development from Windsor Development Company in 2020.
All up there will be 88 parking spaces and additional bicycle spaces.
Two bedroom apartments cost $775,000 and three bedroom apartments from $1,000,000.
SPRING HILL
Ora Unit tower
The hotel tower component of this project by Keylin Group was dropped last month.
It would have been Brisbane’s first Movenpick hotel and was to have been run by Accor.
But excavation on the Gregory Tce site of a 15 level, 113-unit luxury tower with three penthouses has been in full swing for several months.
The “art deco’’ Ora tower will have spectacular views over the CBD and out to Mt Coot-tha once completed.
ST LUCIA
Macquarie St tower
Construction finally started last year on this controversial 160 Macquarie St unit tower, first mooted in 2014.
It has gone through multiple owners and revisions including plans for a private marina.
QM Properties won Council approval in 2018 for a 34-unit ultra luxury version which will have superb views from the riverfront street, which was devastated in the February floods.
TOOWONG
Toowong Town Square mixed-use towers
Demolition of this huge site in the heart of Toowong wrapped up last month ahead of construction on this massive mixed-use project, which will transform the suburb.
A rooftop infinity edge pool with sweeping CBD views, garden lounges, media room, rooftop library and private dining room to entertain guests in style are among the sweeteners being offered to buyers.
The one, two and three-bed units in the $450 million project, by State Development Corporation and White & Partners Sydney, start at $454,000.
The 12 “Sky Villas’’ will range from $2,139,000 to $2,449,000, but the developers are confident buyers will be lining up.
The project will also include a cinema, 30 retail outlets, a large office tower, fresh food market, childcare, medical facilities, wellness/fitness centre and an elevated outdoor dining precinct.
Mosaic unit projects in Archer St, Sylvan Rd
The 66 units at the 12-level The Patterson in clifftop Archer St have already sold out, with work rapidly progressing in the second half of 2022.
The $72 million project was aimed at owner-occupiers and several buyers have amalgamated two units to create luxury “sky homes’’.
Over at nearby Sylvan Rd, the $50 million Kensington will welcome the owners of its 63 units in the new year.
Monarch Residences
This two-tower unit project will transform the abandoned ABC studios clifftop site in Toowong.
Work is well underway, with many units already sold.
Once the project is finished, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to travel along the riverfront Bicentennial Bikeway all the way from the CBD to adjacent Archer St in Toowong.
When Council’s green bridge is completed they will also be able to cross the river at the Monarch site, landing in West End.
WEST END
West Village
The latest stage of the controversial multi-tower unit and retail project was unveiled this year by developer Sekisui House Australia.
The final stage of the $800 million development will be a 14-storey residential tower and childcare centre named Callista on Park.
The Sekisui announcement will be the closing chapter for its project, fronting Mollison and Boundary streets in the heart of West End.
Designed by FJMT Studio, the 14-storey tower will be built above a podium that was one of the first structures on the site.
It included previously approved ground-floor retail outlets.
The Lanes, unit tower
The Lanes, a 138 luxury apartment project, will be the final stage of Pradella Property Ventures’ $1 billion Riverside West End masterplanned community.
Designed by leading architects bureau^proberts, the three-tower, 12-level development features a curved facade with landscaped sky-bridges on every second level.
WOOLLOONGABBA
Hillyard House, South/City/SQ
Pellicano Group submitted plans for the latest stage in its multi-tower mixed-use precinct South/City/SQ in late 2021, the 15-level Hillyard House.
Construction started in October.
The 152 units would also come with ground floor retail, rooftop pool, yoga lawn and lounge, as well as a green space called The Secret Garden.
South/City/SQ now has 570 apartments across four completed residential towers and 15,000 sqm of retail including Woolworths, Reading Cinema’s Angelika Film Centre, Priceline, restaurants and a European-inspired Market Hall.
WYNNUM
BMD headquarters, Ora tower
The 110-year-old former Wynnum Baptist Church has been moved to a new home at Iona College, making way for construction giant BMD’s new headquarters in the suburb where it was founded in 1979.
BMD, which has 1500 workers and $900 million in annual revenue in Australia and the Philippines, moved from a purpose-built HQ in Manly four years ago to another site at the Port of Brisbane.
Its latest move will be into a six-level building on Bay Tce, with an adjacent three-level apartment block aimed at short-term tourist/business stays.
Work has begun on the project, which included three basement levels of parking and a “church plaza’’ for communal use and outdoor dining.
In May developer Justin Ham’s company HamBros submitted a DA for a $130 million, 27-storey, 275-apartment tower at 74 Charlotte St.
The proposal, called Ora, would include six penthouses, 463 carpark spaces, 5600sq m of retail and office space, a rooftop pool as well as a pool on level five, restaurant, gym and function room.
Work was due to start after mid-2023 to give his company more time to lodge specialist reports with council.
YEERONGPILLY
Yeerongpilly Green TOD
Stage one of Consolidated Property Group’s $850 million multistage residential village has sold out, with construction well advanced on 83 units, 10 terrace homes, a Woolworths, dining precinct, offices and retail outlets.
In November six retailers signed up for the $850 million masterplanned community.
The village will have one level of boutique offices, specialty retailers, a dining precinct and a major gym and wellness precinct in addition to secure basement carparking.
Yeerongpilly Green, which is a joint venture between Consolidated Properties Group, CVS Lane Capital Partners and the Queensland Government, will turn 14ha of riverfront land into a major urban renewal project in Brisbane’s southside.
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