Brisbane apartments & penthouses receive DA green light

An innovative adaptive reuse project to convert a primely located low-grade Brisbane office building to luxury apartments has received development approval with work expected to start early next year.

Brisbane developer Chapter Two plans to transform the dated building on a prominent Wickham Terrace in Spring Hill into a boutique collection of whole-floor apartments and a two-level penthouse.

The project will be a showcase of adaptive reuse, creating economic, environmental and social benefits while delivering something special for inner city Brisbane.

Brisbane City Council has been highly supportive of the project, citing in correspondence that “the development is considered to be a very good example of adaptive reuse of a redundant small office building", reflecting its advocacy for design-led development and opportunities for adaptive reuse of suitable buildings.

Constructed in around 1970, the Spring Hill building’s solid floor plates allow for 300 square metres of column free residential living per level and the addition of outdoor entertaining areas with spectacular views.

After conversion, each apartment will include up to four bedrooms, each with ensuite, a gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry, study, and luxury fittings and finishes. The five-bedroom penthouse will have a second storey at rooftop level with lounge, bar, wine cellar and 180 square metres of outdoor living, including an exclusive use swimming pool.

Designed by architects Cera Stribley, the building will feature basement parking, generous common areas, a private lift, cascading greenery and a New York-style entrance lobby.

Chapter Two director Oliver Bagheri said he was delighted with the positive support from Council and looked forward to starting work on the conversion in the first quarter of 2025.

“Prior to finding this site, we explored countless other opportunities that unfortunately were not viable for adaptive reuse from a development and sustainability perspective,” Oliver said.

“We engaged specialist consultants to undertake complex X-ray scans and keyhole drill testing of the structure, which confirmed it was a very solid building with a structure that could be retained for a new phase of life.”

Located just moments from the Brisbane CBD and overlooking Roma Street Parklands and the future Brisbane Live precinct, the project has been designed in keeping with the heritage of Wickham Terrace. Screening for privacy and greenery will result in a much more attractive building.

Adaptive reuse of lower graded commercial buildings on city fringes is gaining momentum as a method to address housing shortages while also providing sustainability benefits.

“By repurposing this structure and using existing materials rather than sourcing new ones, we forecast a significant reduction in embodied carbon,” said Chapter Two director Jon Quayle.

“Our concept retains almost 1,700 tonnes of the existing concrete structure, which helps to save more than 1,500 tonnes of CO2 - the equivalent of charging 100 million iPhones or driving 6,174,008 kms in an average vehicle. 

“In addition, our focus on solar, natural light and natural ventilation, including eaves, shading control and screening, will reduce the operational carbon footprint of the building.”

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