BTR Residential Tower Proposed for 33 Manning Street, Milton

A development application has been submitted by Goldfields Group for a 30-storey residential tower at 33 Manning Street, Milton, under a Build-to-Rent model. The proposed development known in the DA as Goldfields House seeks to deliver 304 apartments, including a 15% affordable housing component comprising 46 dwellings.

The affordable apartments would be rented at a 25% discount to market rates, aimed at providing secure, affordable housing for low to moderate-income households and key workers.

Situated on a 1,620m² site in the heart of Milton, the project aims to contribute to the housing supply in this high-density area, which is identified as a Regional Activity Centre.

The tower would include a mix of 188 one-bedroom, 108 two-bedroom, and 8 three-bedroom units, with 70% of the affordable housing component allocated to one-bedroom units and the remaining 30% to two-bedroom units.

The architectural design incorporates Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” framework, integrating passive sustainability measures and sub-tropical elements. Key design features include deep planting zones, vertical greenery, shaded outdoor spaces, and maximised access to natural light and ventilation.

For mobility, the development proposes a substantial bicycle parking facility, with 424 bicycle spaces distributed over multiple levels. Additionally, 106 car parking spaces would be provided across four levels, with three levels of basement parking to accommodate residents’ and visitors’ needs.

The development’s strategic location within the Milton Station Neighbourhood Plan area provides convenient access to various public transport options, including the Milton Train Station and bus services.

The development is designed with extensive residential recreation facilities, offering a blend of indoor and outdoor communal spaces. Residents would have access to a rooftop level featuring a pool, lounges, and expansive terraces that offer panoramic views of the Brisbane CBD, Mount Coot-tha, and the Brisbane River. Additionally, the ground level is activated with landscaped areas, including shaded pathways and seating zones, fostering a relaxed, social atmosphere.

Development rundown

The landscape design by CUSP Landscape Architecture aims to foster a sub-tropical ambience with features like deep planting zones, shaded areas, and elevated gardens. Tree-lined pathways and street-level planters would contribute to the building’s integration with the streetscape, creating a green, pedestrian-friendly frontage. The landscape plan also supports environmental sustainability through the use of rainwater irrigation and energy-efficient lighting​.

Landscape plan

State Facilitated Development

This project falls under the new Queensland Government’s State Facilitated Development (SFD) framework, a pathway that will increasingly be used to expedite infill developments that bypass Brisbane City Council. Designed to address the state’s housing needs, SFD projects must include a minimum of 15% affordable or social housing, maintained over time through partnerships with Community Housing Providers.

This project is part of the Inclusionary Planning Pilot within the Homes for Queenslanders (HfQ) plan, which targets one million new homes by 2046. The pilot includes streamlined approvals and innovative models like “affordable forever,” aiming to ensure affordability for future residents. Key incentives include reduced application fees, relaxed planning controls, and faster approval processes, with financial support available through the $350 million Incentivising Infill Development Fund.

According to the plan, the streamlined approach would not only boost housing supply but also ensures long-term affordability and accessibility within Brisbane’s urban core.

Goldfields Group has recently acquired 88 Robertson St, a 2,000sqm mixed-use development site near Brisbane’s James St precinct, Fortitude Valley.

Plans