Double Skyscrapers to Rise After Battle of Billionaires

Billionaire developer Harry Triguboff will put shovels to dirt early next year for a towering project overlooking Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens. The $1.3-billion project will comprise two skyscrapers rising 70 and 79 storeys at 204 Alice Street in the CBD. Under the scheme designed by architecture firm DBI, the towers will accommodate 1027 apartments, including 274 short-term accommodation units. Triguboff’s Meriton Group won approval from the Brisbane City Council in October for the development, which will ultimately give him bragging rights as owner of four of the tallest buildings on the city’s skyline. However, the dual-tower proposal has not been without its opponents. Most notably, a 13-page submission was filed in February by neighbouring high-profile landowner, the Sultan of Brunei. It cited numerous concerns over Triguboff’s proposed towers while also revealing plans were afoot for the Sultan’s adjoining Royal on the Park hotel site at 152 Alice Street—owned under the entity Sejahtera One Pty Ltd. “We support the redevelopment of underutilised sites within the CBD and are generally supportive of the uses proposed,” the submission said. “We do however have concerns regarding the proposed development and the lack of consideration given to adjoining landholdings that is manifested through the design outcome presented. “As the owner of the neighbouring land, we are concerned the proposal at 204 Alice Street does not achieve the appropriate integration with surrounding land, nor does it present as a high-quality architectural outcome for this important precinct of the city.” ▲ A render of Meriton’s two-tower development approved for Alice Street, opposite Brisbane's Botanic Gardens. Other issues listed were related to streetscape, public realm and podium design, building height and construction management. “The land subject to the application made, along with our land adjoining at the Royal on the Park, represents one of the most significant redevelopment precincts within the Brisbane CBD, likely on par with the Dexus waterfront redevelopment and potentially as large as the casino development on George Street. “Given this significance, it is important that there is a consideration of how these sites will integrate from a design perspective. “A master planning exercise that explores these integration outcomes would provide a benefit to the design outcome of both sites and ultimately the city,” the document said. Eight months later, the council’s delegate decision has paved the way for Meriton’s proposal, which will span a 5485sq m site fronting both Alice and Margaret streets. It will replace an ageing 16-storey building known as The Gardens Apartments. And clearly Triguboff, who purchased the 107 units in the building last year for $140 million, is eager to get his first Brisbane project in several years under way. “It has been a long process to get this deal over the line as there were many owners involved, but it is well worth it because it is the best parcel of land in Brisbane with uninterrupted views over the Botanic Gardens and across the river,” he said. “Demolition of the existing building will begin in January, with the scheduled completion due early 2029. “We are pleased that Brisbane City Council was able to approve this significant project swiftly and our development will support the much-needed housing and accommodation supply in Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” ▲ Meriton says the double skyscrapers will become a city landmark. Under the approved plans, the two towers will accommodate a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above five podium and five basement levels. “The tower base design adopts an innovative approach to create two distinct facades addressing the individual street frontages of the site,” the application said. On its Margaret Street side the tower base “exhibits a distinctly urban character, reflecting the interface with the CBD” while on the Alice Street side facing the Botanic Gardens it “adopts a more organic form”. Each of the towers will be crowned by four penthouses with private roof terraces. Landscaped communal open space for residents and guests will be provided on level 5, with the towers incorporating indoor swimming pools as well as outdoor amenities, including a gym, barbecue areas, lawn terrace, seating nooks and play space. Parking for a total of 898 vehicles will be provided across the podium and basement levels. According to the documents, the towers have been “strategically located to minimise overshadowing and over-dominating the Botanic Gardens”. “The two-tower development takes cues from the surrounding context including the city’s urban fabric as well as the Botanic Gardens and seeks to complement the adjacent heritage and place character,” a design statement said. “The development is set to become a landmark Brisbane destination and provides a visible presence on the skyline of the city.” ▲ Battle of the Billionaires: Harry Triguboff and the Sultan of Brunei. On its lower levels, the project will feature retail, food and beverage outlets as well as a double-height lobby framed by the backdrop of the Botanic Gardens. With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, Meriton’s approved Alice Street project is among a growing number of precinct-defining developments in the pipeline for the River City. They include Panettiere Property Group’s recently greenlit $1.5-billion triple-tower Little Italy mixed-use precinct at inner-city Newstead. Earmarked for an amalgamated 7440sq m site fronting Longland, Stratton and Kyabra streets, next to the landmark Gasworks Plaza, its three towers rising up to 33 storeys will comprise 1001 apartments. In the city’s inner-north, Fabcot—the development arm of supermarket giant Woolworths— has revealed plans for a two-tower shoptop build-to-rent play on the site of the former The Albion Flour Mill . The proposal comprises 456 apartments rising 20 storeys, including a two-level podium with elevated subtropical urban commons and rooftop recreation terraces. Teneriffe Banks, a $1.5-billion mixed-use precinct envisioned by Kokoda Property , was approved in July for a 17.5ha riverside site at 17-27 Skyring Terrace, about 2.5km north-east of the CBD. It will comprise four buildings, including a Kimpton hotel, commercial, food and beverage, retail and 212 apartments. Meanwhile, Artemus Group—the developer behind the city’s Howard Smith Wharves precinct—has unveiled a bold vision for the next stage of the transformative hospitality and entertainment precinct. The proposal includes the construction of a 77-room, nine-storey riverfront hotel and arch-filled colonnade with ground-level retail and a music hall/theatre replacing Felons Barrel Hall. Also, an expansive new river terrace and deck with an overwater pool, bar and dining area is planned along with enhanced riverfront public spaces, pathways, parklands and boardwalks. As Brisbane-based entertainment king, ASM Global boss Harvey Lister observed at an industry event this year: “We do precincts better than anybody else in just about any other city that I can think of. And there’s more to come”. 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