‘Blast from the past’: A Brisbane apartment block has taken over 20 years to be constructed.

Could this be Brisbane’s longest running construction site? An inner city apartment block has remained vacant for over 20 years.

139 Leichhardt Street has been under construction for over 20 years. Photo: supplied

A 12-storey apartment building in the heart of Brisbane has been under construction for more than 20 years, with some Queenslanders reminiscing about the blast from the past.

According to realeaste.com 139 Leichhardt Street was purchased on May 23, 1989 for $6m with Brisbane City Council approval for construction in March 2004.

The Planning and Environment Court subsequently approved the development application in September 2006, under the development conditions completion is expected by May 2025 unless an extension is granted in accordance with the State Government’s Planning Act.

Philip Churven, developer and listed businesses owner of CityPoint Pty Ltd, now City Point (Hotels) Pty Ltd, submitted planning documents to Brisbane City Council for the multi-unit 12-storey “The Bentley Apartments”, which is 1202sq/m with three penthouses.

139 Leichhardt Street has been under construction for more than 20 years. Picture: Supplied

The site is located in the Principal Centre (City Centre) Zone and the City Centre

Expansion Precinct of the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan and the tower is currently untenanted and has been under refurbishment for 20 years.

A reddit post has captured the building over its two decades with some users commenting that they had been employed there in previous years.

“Worked on that site back in 2008 as a subcontractor, not surprised it’s still not doing anything,” a reddit user said.

The development has received a number of extensions to the currency period since its original approval.

Brisbane City Council in October 11, 2013 approved a nine-year extension from July 21, 2006 to September 30, 2014.

Another Reddit user said “What a blast from the past, I did some work experience with a tradie in there when I was a teenager (in my 30s now).”

A request was submitted and approved on June 19, 2024 to extend the current development period due to “recent changed circumstances”.

A document for a request to extend the currency period said the multi-unit dwelling is intended to be sold to the State Government for the purpose of affordable housing.

“Namely, the intended sale of the property to the State Government (through an associated housing provider) for the purpose of affordable housing. However, contractual conditions for

completion of the sale require the current development approval to be in effect while

all proposed works are being completed,” the document said.

139 Leichhardt Street has been under construction for more than 20 years. Picture: Supplied

The document said the completion of the project had slowed during 2020 and 2021 in response to the unique economic and social conditions brought about by Covid.

In early 2022, the applicant was approached by a State Government institution (“the Buyer”) requesting to acquire the building.

“After a lengthy negotiation period, a contract was entered into providing for settlement by 30 November 2023, subject to completion of the project in accordance with the current

development approval and renewing of the currency period for the Building Approval.”

Original plans included a communal pool which has since been determined that an “on-site recreation facility is not required.”

“The space will continue to be available as a communal recreation space for the future residents of the building,” a document said.

Philip Churven has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as ‘Blast from the past’: A Brisbane apartment block has taken over 20 years to be constructed.