CBD projects in doubt after Riverside Centre granted heritage protection

Brisbane City Council has taken legal action against the Queensland Heritage Council after the independent body granted protection to the Riverside Centre on Eagle Street.

After the centre’s owner, the GPT Group, lodged an application to build a 26-storey office tower on the site, the Heritage Council was asked to recognise the importance of architect Harry Seidler’s vision for Eagle Street and the significance of the building opened in 1986.

An artist’s impression of the office tower planned for 135 Eagle Street, Brisbane.

Seidler’s daughter Polly argued the centre – both the tower and surrounding precinct – was “a design masterpiece” and the first to embrace the Brisbane River. Her bid for a heritage listing was backed by various architects, and came as the neighbouring Eagle Street Pier, which opened in 1988, was demolished to make way for the $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane project.

Plans for the 26-storey tower showed it would have crowded the site, requiring demolition of the Pig ‘N’ Whistle and development towards the river.

With a group of architects backing Polly Seidler’s bid, the Heritage Council in December added the centre to the state’s heritage list.

The Riverside Centre opened in 1986 and was granted heritage protection in December 2023.

The official listing states: “Built at the peak of a boom in office tower construction in Brisbane; designed by one of Australia’s most renowned architects; and incorporating an office tower integrated with a generous, publicly oriented plaza, and recreational, entertainment and transport facilities, in a riverfront setting, Riverside Centre in its form, fabric and accomplished architectural design, is a distinctive example of a high-rise office tower development from this period in Queensland.”

But on Thursday, Brisbane City Council’s lawyers lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court, arguing the heritage listing went too far by including the Riverwalk and public ferry terminal.

The lawyers contend the heritage listing “could unnecessarily complicate” the planned redevelopment of the Riverside Centre and “other developments involving the Riverwalk including the development of Eagle Street Pier [Waterfront Brisbane] and Waterfront Place”.

It would also hamper ongoing maintenance of the riverfront, and as well as ferry operations, with “the potential to result in greater inefficiencies and costs which will ultimately be borne by the public”.

Waterfront Brisbane’s two towers (centre), with Riparian Plaza to the right.Credit: Dexus

While the court documents reveal Brisbane City Council approved the 26-storey tower in July, while urging the Heritage Council to curtail any listing, the development application has since been withdrawn. Comment has been sought from the company.

In December, the Heritage Council advised Brisbane City Council of its intention to grant the heritage listing and advised the state government to work with Brisbane City Council and GPT Group “at the earliest opportunity to discuss ways to manage the heritage listing, including development and streamlined approval pathways”.

The appeal comes after long-running legal challenges to the Waterfront Brisbane project, particularly from neighbours in Riparian Plaza. Seidler’s widow, Penelope, had also asked Brisbane City Council to reject the application, saying “the proposed design seems to turn its back in disrespect of Brisbane: ‘If you are not on our waterfront, you don’t exist’.”

Brisbane City Council has a masterplan that would allow for the Riverwalk to be progressively upgraded, between the Botanic Gardens and Howard Smith Wharves, and extended into the river.

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