A development application has been proposed by Fortescue Street Developments Pty Ltd, for a 252 apartment residential development located at 25 Fortescue St, Spring Hill.
Fortescue Street Developments is a Sydney-based entity associated with property figures Bruce Baudinet, Nicholas Kennedy, and Justin Kucic.
The proposed development involves the construction of two 15-storey residential towers, with 115 apartments functioning as social housing in the Fortescue St tower and 137 apartments as affordable housing in the Little Edward St tower.
Designed by Rothelowman Architects, the development would include a 87.9m2 retail tenancy fronting Little Edward Street, to function as either a shop, office or food and drink outlet. According to Rothelowman, 25 Fortescue offers the opportunity to “create a high-quality, community conscious design outcome within the social and affordable housing typology”.
The area’s historic pedestrian connectivity challenges have also been acknowledged and addressed by creating a laneway that crosses the site, encouraging pedestrian activity.
Project rundown
| Development Parameter | Proposed Development |
|---|---|
| Address: | 25 Fortescue St, Spring Hill |
| Development Type: | Residential (affordable and social) |
| Site Area: | 2,666m2 |
| Height: | Little Edward St Tower: 15 Storeys / RL 87.4m Fortescue St Tower: 15 Storeys / RL 92.8m |
| Apartments: | The proposal includes the following unit mix: x252 residential units ▪ 115 residential units within the Fortescue St tower, functioning as social housing. ▪ 137 residential units within the Little Edward St tower, functioning as affordable housing. ▪171 x 1 bedroom units (including studio apartments) ▪77 x 2 bedroom units ▪4 x 3 bedroom units |
| Elevators: | ▪ x2 elevators within the Fortescue St tower (lift-to-unit ratio of 1:57.5) ▪ x2 elevators within the Little Edward St tower (lift-to-unit ratio of 1:68.5) |
| Communal Space: | Limited communal spaces. A work from home space and common room is provided on the ground level. 343.4 square metres of communal open space is provided however this is mostly planters and general circulation space on the ground level of the Fortescue St tower. |
| Retail: | A 87.9 square metre retail tenancy fronting Little Edward Street |
| Car Parking: | x115 car spaces |
| Bike Parking: | x252 bike spaces |
| Developer: | Fortescue Street Developments Pty Ltd |
| Architect: | Rothelowman Architects |
| Landscape Design: | Aspect Studios |
| Town Planner: | Urban Strategies |
| Sustainability: | ▪Limited sustainability initiatives proposed in this development ▪No proposed rooftop utilisation apart from rainwater harvesting ▪No proposed rooftop solar PV system ▪No recycling chute or chute diverter proposed, meaning residents will need to take recycling to the bin area which discourages recycling |
| Date Submitted: | 1/8/2024 |
| Assessment Level | Code |
| DA Application Link | A006580091 |
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The proposal outlines a 20-year plan to provide social housing (Fortescue St tower) and affordable housing (Little Edward St tower). After construction, the project will be owned and managed by Mission Australia, a nationally recognised Community Housing Provider.
A summary of the housing types and who will be eligible to rent:
- Social Housing: Rent is capped at 25% of the tenant’s income, regardless of market rates. This housing is typically for those who are unemployed or receiving government support (e.g., aged or disability pensions).
- Affordable Housing: Rent is set at a maximum of 75% of the market rate for a similar unit in the area. This housing is aimed at low-income earners, including key workers in sectors like retail, hospitality, childcare, and other service industries.
According to architects Rothelowman, “the fenestration of each facade is tailored to provide stunning views over Brisbane. Articulation in the pre-cast panels prevents the design from appearing monotonous and dull whilst creating drama between light and dark.”
The site currently contains a three-storey commercial tenancy fronting onto Little Edward Street with vehicle access provided to the rear via Fortescue Street and a three-storey multiple dwelling containing 11 units fronting onto Little Edward Street.
According to planners Urban Strategies, these buildings are not architecturally significant and are not protected by any overlays and will be removed prior to construction to facilitate the proposed development.
I’m disappointed social housing will be built so close to the City area. I’m not against social housing, but feel the extra money made from the sale or rental at full value would be able to build so many more houses or apartments in a less expensive area. I don’t mean the outer suburbs either, but somewhere in the 10 to 15km radius perhaps.
I feel there should be more made of the rooftop. So much unused space in a climate like Brisbane.
Why on earth would they reinvest additional profits into something less profitable?
Because it will be owned by Mission Australia, who help the less fortunate. They can invest the profits of this complex of 115 apartments to build a whole lot more.( It’s not owned by the developer). It seems to be a build to rent style complex, with the social housing component paying only 25% of their income, whatever their income is. The affordable housing component will be rented at 75% of market value. There will be 2 towers, I’m fine with the idea of affordable housing side of things. The social housing aspect is not a profit making venture, and is not meant to be. If Mission Australia could sell or rent the Fortescue St (a desirable and reasonably expensive part of town) tower apartments at market value, they can then reinvest that money into a larger number of apartments resulting in more social housing being available.
This proposal looks illogical.
It looks so ugly, like a box. Do they even have an architect to make the design?
Very ugly. Looks like a giant box. Could be better utilised space than developing social housing. You would think it would make more sense to develop properly that you could sell at a desirable market value then use those funds to create more social housing