The Hive project set to transform Townsville
IT’S one of the most transformative projects in Townsville’s history: a massive redevelopment near The Strand. The Bulletin delves into what The Hive is and what it means for Townsville.
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IT’S one of the most transformative projects in Townsville’s recent history: a massive redevelopment in the heart of the city near The Strand.
Worth about $450 million, it will create about 1900 full time jobs during construction and another 1200 full time jobs in operation.
“The economic metrics of the project cannot be overstated,” planners said.
“It is submitted that The Hive has catalytic potential to give Townsville a national identity from a cultural, tourism and aquatic research and stewardship perspective.”
Yesterday that project received preliminary approval from Townsville City Council.
The Bulletin delves into what the project is and what it means for Townsville.
The Hive
The subject site is located over land at 45 Flinders Street and 10 The Strand and consists of eight lots.
The site has a total area of 17,268sqm and frontage to The Strand, King, Flinders and Wickham Streets.
The project to be known as The Hive is the redevelopment and transformation of a key city block for mixed use development comprised broadly of civic, retail, commercial, tourism, educational, research and residential land uses.
Griffin Group is behind the massive project.
Underpinning the site’s transformation is the repurposing and conservation of the State heritage listed Queens Hotel which has remained vacant since the closure of the Channel 10 television studio operations in the early 2000s.
The developer says the project will have a striking built form of contemporary architecture, urban design and landscape expression.
“(It will) ensure the proposal sets a benchmark for place and city making within Townsville, North Queensland and the State proper,” planners stated.
“The Hive will be a true landmark and sought after destination that will endure and contribute significantly to the triple bottom line of Townsville from an economic, social and environmental perspective.”
The developer hopes the civic elements of the project will draw between 750,000 to 1,100,000 visitors annually and add about $27 million each year to the Townsville economy.
They are hoping to maximise on recent moves by the Queensland Government and the Townsville council to declare the Townsville Waterfront Priority Development Area and the start of the associated land use plan, the Federal Government’s City Deals initiative, and the call for Expressions of Interest by council for the North Queensland Arts and Cultural Centre.
The developer hopes to create a precinct that brings The Hive, The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium (Reef HQ), Indigenous Cultural Centre and the Museum of Tropical Queensland together, creating a “cultural hub” and a destination with national appeal.
Existing buildings on the site include the historic Queens Hotel (vacant), the Criterion Hotel (vacant), the Lilac Court residences and an Avis car hire facility.
The site is surrounded by a number of State listed heritage buildings including Townsville Customs House and Townsville State Government Offices. Anzac Memorial Park is also listed as containing State Heritage value. The project adjoins but does not include any of these sites/places.
Documents revealed the listed developer Queenston Pty Ltd will pay $55,850 in planning fees to the council.
The developer started pre-lodgement forums with the council’s planners in April 2015 and they discussed built form, land uses and application, and approval strategy.
The developer had planned to build up to 20 storeys high but the preliminary approval requires the proponents to drop the requested height of two towers to 14 and 16 storeys respectively.
Key aspects
The Hive will include a retail core, entertainment precinct, cultural, education and community space, civic areas, mixed use and open spaces.
A pedestrian promenade of The Strand through the site will connect with Anzac Memorial Park. It will become the key connection between the Waterfront Promenade, CBD and The Strand.
The preliminary approval shows the project will have a mix of uses including a library, concert hall, gallery, commercial offices, shops, food and drink outlets, research and technology industry (marine based), and environmental tourism, residential and short-term accommodation.
Heritage issues
Queens Hotel
The Queens Hotel will be adapted and re-used to ensure that the it continues to be a major contributor to the identity of Townsville and local community, the developer stated.
Lilac Court
Lilac Court is to be retained and therefore the potential impact relates to the construction of the building adjoining Lilac Court.
Criterion Hotel
The Hive Master Plan has been designed based on the demolition of the Criterion Hotel.
Former Dive Shop
The developer plans to demolish to former dive shop.
>> Developers lodge applications for $450m project in Townsville CBD
>> Huge $450m Townsville project The Hive pushes ahead
>> Townsville City Council CEO to decide on $450 million ‘The Hive’ project
>> Townsville Council approves The Hive with Criterion Hotel to be demolished
Read more about the proposed development yourself on the council’s public documents website.
Connect with Andrew Backhouse on Twitter here or on Facebook here.
Originally published as The Hive project set to transform Townsville
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