Skyneedle court stoush to protect view of iconic Expo landmark

Residents of a trendy Brisbane apartment building are fighting a developer and council in court in a bid to block construction of a neighbouring 18-storey tower.

Halo Residences is the luxurious, highly-anticipated second tower within The Pradella Group’s $144 million SkyNeedle development in South Brisbane.

Residents of a trendy Brisbane apartment building are fighting a developer and council in court in a bid to block construction of a neighbouring 18-storey tower on the former headquarters of celebrity hairdresser Stefan Ackerie.

The body corporate for the Skyneedle community title scheme and 14 residents have filed an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court claiming that Aria Property Group’s council-approved tower is too tall and will block their sunlight, breezes and they will lose their privacy.

Council approved the building at 164-190 Melbourne St, South Brisbane. It also sits at 25-27A Manning St.

Halo Residences is the second tower within The Pradella Group’s $144 million SkyNeedle development.

The building is the first of three towers proposed for the site, which is currently occupied by a variety of stores including the heritage listed former Maloufs’ fruit shop, West End Garden Restaurant, JoJo’s Restaurant, the Stefan building, and the heritage listed former Bond’s sweet factory and a hairdressing academy, council documents state.

The hairdressing academy, at 23 Manning Street behind the sweet factory, is set to be demolished to make way for the excavation of the basement, along with the JoJo’s and Stefan building.

The side extension, covered walkway and access stair of the former Malouf’s fruit

shop building are also set to be demolished, according to council documents.

The court appeal states that the council approved development for 78 apartments at 164 Melbourne St and 25-27A Manning St, includes a six-level basement, a car parking station and a commercial gym.

It also alleges the “excessive height” of the tower will “not adequately protect the heritage significance of the iconic Skyneedle”, an 88m tall landmark built for World Expo 88 and moved to the site after hairdresser Stefan Ackerie bought it to prevent it being moved to Japan. The Skyneedle was lit up during Expo.

Entrepreneur Stefan Ackerie with partner Rose King. Picture: Scott Fletcher

“The proposed development will adversely impact on the view corridors to the Skyneedle and the overall streetscape of Manning St,” the appeal states.

The appeal states that the building will “dominate the streetscape” and its “form, materials and finishes” don’t compliment the Skyneedle.

Brisbane City Council approved the development, subject to conditions, on February 27, the appeal states.

The appeal states that the building will operate as an around-the-clock carparking station for the first five years and that the developers have failed to show that the Skyneedle wont be undermined by the six-levels of basement excavation.

The site is a combination of ten separate plots of land, and the building has been designed by architect firms Richards and Spence and Bates Smart.

Richards and Spence also designed the Calile Hotel.

The building sits in one of Brisbane’s highest population density areas, in a rapidly developing area.

Skyneedle consists of two towers, the first opened in 2018 and the second in 2020.

The case is due in court on April 19.