Brisbane's Olympics transformation builds as major developments announced

The transformation of Brisbane as it builds towards the 2032 Olympic Games has taken another major leap forward with the announcement of the Station Square project, a massive new 1.2 billion mixed-use development beside the Gabba sports stadium.

It joins a raft of major multimillion-dollar development projects emerging in inner Brisbane.

While a development application has not yet been submitted for Station Square, it is expected the complex will comprise four towers that incorporate a green thoroughfare and park, with the tallest tower set to be the largest outside the Brisbane CBD at 40 storeys.

A pedestrian link will provide access to Cross River Rail Woolloongabba underground station, with a planned Metro station to follow.

Source: Brisbane Development

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The map illustrates major proposals, approvals and projects under construction.

Red = Proposed | Orange = Appealed / Refused / Withdrawn | Green = Approved | Blue = Under Construction | Purple = Master Plan Projects | Grey = Completed | Pink = For Sale

With Brisbane, like all other capital cities, facing a major housing shortage, the developer’s insistence that the project will offer affordable housing, as well as other residential apartments, will be welcome news.

It also includes a 320-room five-star hotel, office building and a retail complex at ground level. The project would also integrate and restore the heritage Railway Hotel.

The unveiling of plans for Station Square comes within days or weeks of a submission being put forward for a 30-storey residential tower in South Brisbane, a 100-plus apartment complex in West End, a 31-storey-built student accommodation (PBSA) tower, a 40-storey CBD ‘Rainforest Tower’, and construction work beginning on the $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane project.

Brisbane’s tallest commercial tower emerging from ground

Construction work on Brisbane’s tallest commercial building, the north tower of the Waterfront project, has begun and will culminate in five more years in a 236-metre-high office complex.

Station Square Site

The multi-billion-dollar development is a joint development by Dexus and the Dexus Wholesale Property Fund (DWPF), and was designed by designed by architects FJMT and Arkhefield with John Holland Group as the builder.

Almost half of the first tower’s office space has been secured by major professional services firms.

John Holland Group has set a goal to recycle 90 per cent of the material that leaves the site by sorting timber, metals, and concrete. 

Rainforest in the sky

Brisbane’s urban green credentials will be further enhanced with the 40-storey Rainforest Tower that will be part of a proposed Albert Street green spine.

Cascading vertical greenery and lower levels evoking a rainforest understory are the architectural theme of the building, designed by Architectus and Henning Larsen.

Cross River Rail precinct developer QIC submitted the plans to Economic Development Queensland for the premier mixed-use development on a 2,500sqm site.

The building would comprise prime grade office and mixed-use space, 31 storeys dedicated to office use and about 4,000sqm of outdoor space, with retail and dining options throughout the tower.

In South Brisbane, Aria Property Group has submitted a proposal for a 30-storey residential tower (pictured left) located at 10 Cordelia Street, comprising 256 apartments, including one, two, and three-bedroom apartments but no retail.

The new tower will also feature a rooftop pool and sky terrace, various amenity rooms, and dining and lounging areas.

A West End 10-18 storey residential tower (pictured right) with 101 apartments by Unison Projects has also had its development application submitted.