Council greenlights Bulimba Barracks lifestyle precinct, unit approval looms

A boutique supermarket, retail and hospitality venue likened to Howard Smith Wharves, West Village and Fish Lane are coming to an upmarket Brisbane suburb after council approved plans.

Artist's impressions of the approved retail precinct and the first units, expected to be ticked off by council soon, at the Bulimba Barracks project.

Two new supermarkets are coming to the Bulimba area after council ticked off a lifestyle precinct at a billion-dollar riverfront mega project.

But Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has warned that the first stage of the planned 885 units must be properly insulated because of disruptive noise from up to 100 planes a day flying over the sprawling 20ha Bulimba Barracks site.

That forecast was for several decades down the track, however.

Council said it had approved plans by Taiwanese billionaire John Lin’s Shayher Group to transform the historic WWII-era Fabrication Workshop into a boutique supermarket, retail and hospitality venue with multi-use public spaces.

It came as another prominent local developer, Cielo Group, has begun work on its long-awaited $190m LUA retail and unit project on Oxford St, which would be anchored by Harris Farm Markets.

The Shayher plans featured an open central area for community events, pop-up shops, outdoor seating and dining spaces.

Artist's impression of the new Bulimba Barracks lifestyle precinct approved by council.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the re-use of the workshop would create a vibrant community space.

“This new precinct will build on our record of supporting the creation of destinations like Howard Smith Wharves, West Village and Fish Lane which has helped shape Brisbane’s incredible lifestyle,’’ he said.

“Bulimba Barracks history will continue to be recognised while becoming a new lifestyle precinct that ensures our suburbs remains the best place to live, work and relax.”

Artist's impression of the transformed workshop.

Mr Lin said they had worked hard to ensure the historical integrity of the workshop building which he hoped would become a community hub.

“Shayher Group has already shown significant commitment to the master planned community through the commencement of its sitewide infrastructure project, which includes services, roadways and parkland.

“This development will be a focal point along the Brisbane River, resulting in a beautiful, high-quality area for the Bulimba community to enjoy while respecting the historical value of this part of Brisbane and Queensland for generations to come.”

How the lifestyle precinct will look.

Shayher last year announced it would expand Tugulawa Park, which formed part of the development area, creating new public spaces, lawns and landscaping.

There would also be a boulevard entry sign at a new Apollo Rd intersection, a footpath to North South Ave, a dedicated cycleway, seating and community garden beds.

Council last year signed off on Shayher’s staged, multi-year masterplan for the site, the largest remaining riverfront property along the Brisbane River.

There has been little obvious progress on the mega project since Mr Lin bought it for $63m five years ago, apart from some demolition works in and around the workshop.

Artist's impression of the new Bulimba Barracks lifestyle precinct approved by council.

But engineers BMD Urban have been busy remediating the huge site, which would also require earthworks to raise floodprone sections.

Shayher’s town planners said in the planning documents lodged this week that it expected approval for the first stage of luxury residential units very soon.

Two lowrise apartment buildings with 69 units would be built near the riverfront, separated by a laneway from the workshop.

Heritage documents lodged this week said the units were of a similar height to the workshop, were set back from it and the design and materials were sympathetic to the workshop’s architecture.

The massive Bulimba Barracks site.

But BAC warned last year in a public submission that proper noise insulation was imperative.

“While BAC acknowledges ... the development does not technically or legally require noise attenuation measures ... future residents will experience between five and 10 flights exceeding 60 decibels per day,’’ it said.

“A noise event of 60 decibels is the level at which aircraft noise can disrupt conversation or the watching of television.

“It is likely that residents of the future development will be affected by observable aircraft noise at a magnitude that maybe considered to impact amenity.’’

LAST GLIMPSE INSIDE BARRACKS: PHOTO GALLERY

Buchan Architects, which designed the workshop makeover, said the first residential stage would feature units with one-to-three beds spread across two buildings that “respect the existing neighbours in terms of scale’’.

“Materials and form reference a candle and soap making factory that is part of the site’s history,’’ they said on their website.

“Brickwork and curved shapes are a nod to the ex-factory’s giant chimney, a long-gone landmark dating back to the 1880s.

“A landscaped pedestrian laneway between the residences and the fabrication shed will host community gardens, play spaces and public art and create a direct link to the river.’’

Originally published as Council greenlights Bulimba Barracks lifestyle precinct, unit approval looms