A development application has been lodged by Verso Development Group known as ‘Toowong Central’, a major $1 billion mixed-use precinct spanning 14,126m² at the heart of Toowong. The proposal seeks to deliver three towers alongside a network of public plazas, retail, office space, and residential dwellings, consolidating multiple sites bound by Sherwood Road, Jephson Street and High Street.
The application, designed by Kerry Hill Architects, positions Toowong Central as a new landmark precinct in Brisbane’s inner west, with significant emphasis placed on subtropical landscape integration and active public realm spaces.
The development proposes three residential towers ranging between 49 and 58 storeys. Collectively, these would accommodate more than 1,100 apartments in a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom configurations. The towers also include penthouses at upper levels and slot gardens interspersed throughout, designed to create green breaks in the vertical built form.
Short-term accommodation and serviced apartments are also earmarked within the scheme, while podium levels would integrate communal recreation spaces, landscaped gardens, pools and resident amenities.
At ground level, the precinct is anchored by a series of interconnected plazas and laneways. Four key public spaces are planned: Sherwood Plaza fronting Sherwood Road, High Street Park, a central plaza acting as the civic heart, and Jephson Terrace which steps down to Jephson Street. These areas are designed to accommodate water play, events, outdoor dining, art installations and informal gathering.
The design statement prepared by PWP + Urbis draws inspiration from the area’s pre-colonial history as a gathering place and proposes an “urban forest” concept, a layered green framework of trees, planting and shaded rest spots throughout the site.
The proposal includes over 12,000m² of retail and dining space at podium levels, creating a fine-grain network of restaurants, cafes, speciality shops and a supermarket. Office and commercial tenancies are also proposed, responding to demand for workplace options outside the CBD but within close proximity to Toowong Station and the University of Queensland.
The public realm strategy integrates this retail with the open space network, positioning shops and dining around plazas to ensure activity at different times of the day. Combined with direct access to the train station and Bicentennial Bikeway, the design intends to establish Toowong Central as both a residential hub and lifestyle destination.
| Development Parameter | Proposed Development |
|---|---|
| Address: | 26 & 30 Sherwood Road; 23–59 High Street; 74 & 88 Jephson Street, Toowong |
| Development Type: | Mixed-use precinct with residential, retail, commercial and public realm |
| Site Area: | 14,126m² |
| Gross Floor Area (GFA): | Approximately 240,000m² |
| Height: | Tower 1 – 55st / 206.45m Tower 2 – 58st / 208.95m Tower 3 – 49st / 177.35m |
| Apartments: | 1,104 residential apartments across three towers Tower 1: 479 apartments – 149 x 1-bed, 232 x 2-bed, 90 x 3-bed, 8 x 4-bed Tower 2: 375 apartments – 140 x 1-bed, 170 x 2-bed, 56 x 3-bed, 9 x 4-bed Tower 3: 250 apartments – 87 x 1-bed, 106 x 2-bed, 47 x 3-bed, 10 x 4-bed |
| Elevators: | Tower 1: 6 lifts (1:80) Tower 2: 5 lifts (1:75) Tower 3: 5 lifts (1:50) Total: 16 lifts (overall ratio approx. 1:69) |
| Communal Space: | Multiple podium recreation decks, rooftop terraces, water features, outdoor dining and pools |
| Retail: | Over 12,000m² of retail and dining including a 2,749m² supermarket, speciality shops, F&B venues and large format retail opportunities |
| Car Parking: | 1,945 basement car parks |
| Bike Parking: | 1,152 bicycle spaces |
| Developer: | Toowong Central Investment Holdings Pty Ltd (Verso Development Group) |
| Architect: | Kerry Hill Architects |
| Landscape Design: | PWP + Urbis |
| Town Planner: | Urbis |
| Sustainability: | Rooftop Solar: Photovoltaic systems integrated into roof levels Energy Efficiency: Buildings That Breathe design response, facade shading, natural ventilation Waste Management & Recycling: Centralised waste rooms with dual recycling and general waste chutes which promotes resident recycling Water Conservation: Stormwater harvesting and irrigation reuse Green Landscaping: Tower slot gardens, podium planting, 4,500m² of landscaped open space Active Transport Facilities: Direct link to Toowong Station and Bicentennial Bikeway |
| Date Submitted: | August 2025 |
| Assessment Level: | Impact assessable |
| DA Application Link: | A006836692 |
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According to the Urban Context Report prepared by Urbis, the site has long been identified as a strategic redevelopment opportunity due to its scale, central location, and proximity to transport infrastructure. It sits adjacent to Toowong Village, Toowong Station and the Bicentennial Bikeway, and is positioned within walking distance of key lifestyle anchors including the Regatta Hotel and University of Queensland.
Two earlier approvals – Aviary Toowong and 88 Jephson Street, covered portions of the land with separate towers, but the consolidation of parcels now allows for a coordinated precinct-based approach.
The landscape design, prepared by PWP in collaboration with Urbis, is structured around four key ground-level spaces: Sherwood Plaza, High Street Park, Central Plaza and Jephson Terrace, which connect internally through laneways and externally to High Street and Sherwood Road.
At level four, a series of podium gardens and pools are proposed, including a crescent pool, lap pool and lounge pool, each serving as recreation amenities for residents. The towers themselves incorporate slot gardens and terraces designed to extend subtropical planting vertically through the built form
Each tower adopts a slender footprint to maximise view corridors and reduce overshadowing, with podium bases activating the streetscape through retail and dining uses. According to Kerry Hill Architects, the towers are envisioned as emerging from a subtropical forest-like base, designed to echo the natural landscape forms of South East Queensland.
The development is categorised as impact assessable under the Toowong–Auchenflower Neighbourhood Plan, meaning it will undergo full public notification and assessment by Council.
Urbis, acting as town planner, notes that the proposal is intended to “deliver density differently” by combining high-rise residential with a significant public realm contribution, exceeding the open space outcomes of previous approvals. Comparisons in the planning report highlight that Toowong Central would provide more integrated plazas and laneway connections than earlier schemes.
As part of the application, an Urban Context Report was prepared to analyse how the proposal would sit within the evolving Toowong centre. The report reviews the area’s transport links, land uses, heritage context and urban form, and sets out principles to guide how the precinct could function as it intensifies. A key theme is the shift toward walkability, with the report recommending that parts of High Street and Sherwood Road be progressively pedestrianised. This would create a stronger connection between the towers, the railway station and retail areas, supported by wide footpaths, shade trees and active ground-level edges. The intent is to reframe Toowong as a people-focused hub rather than a traffic corridor.
Verso Development Group is currently advancing several major projects across South East Queensland. These include this proposed three-tower Toowong Central precinct, the adaptive reuse of Shafston Estate at Kangaroo Point with a 25-storey tower, the large-scale Ripley Square mixed-use development anchored by retail and townhomes, and 244 Priestdale, a residential community in Rochedale due for completion in 2026. Additional projects flagged in their pipeline include new sites at Wentworth Falls and Miles Platting Road.
fantastic opportunity for that site
I really like the idea of turning the strip of Sherwood Rd (between Jephson St and High St) into a pedestrian-only area. That would really link Toowong Tower Shopping Centre into this new development a lot better.
Especially if the old Sizzler restaurant gets demolished and replaced by a pedestrian plaza (as shown in that Urban Context Report’s Toowong Precinct Plan.) That would make the whole area a walkable “village precinct.” Imagine an entirely pedestrian friendly village centre accessible from both the train station, Coro-drive bus stops as well as the future Toowong-West End bridge and centenary bikeway.
Not sure how the Toowong Tower parking access would work though: closing off the Sherwood Rd entrance leaves only the rear entry (corner Lissner & Bennet St) point. And that entrance is garbage -especially with modern size cars trying to navigate the mini roundabout and tight curved access ramps. Here’s hoping that gets a major renovation as well.
The proposed heights of these buildings is so over the height limits as to be laughable! Why are developers so greedy and uncaring about the impact of their grand ideas? Go back to the drawing board.
Uhh.. Idk if you’ve heard of this but we are in the middle of something called a “housing crisis”, the more homes the better especially in places near or on transport hubs By no means should the entire city be only apartments and high-rise, I don’t agree with that, but instead there should be far more mixed use neighboourhoods in these transport centres. The only people who are “greedy” are people already in single family homes located near the city who purposely reject and oppose valuble housing opportunities for others out of their own self intrest. If you want to avoid buildings, skyscrapers or development of any kind, please consider moving to a small town 🙂
I agree that the buildings are way too high. Make it reasonable in terms of surrounding buildings!
Some great ideas, however the roads are busy enough here, I am worried about the impact of adding potentially thousands of car trips daily (either personal use or taxi/uber). Put a wide walk/bike bridge to Toowong tower, either above or underground.
or yk, take the fkn train
I Agree with all the ideas of this developer – I think all impacts people are talking about should be ignored
I think they could go higher honestly – 100 floors? go for a record?
Not a bad idea Stephen.
I think the green space is incredible. Are we sure this many towers is a good idea on that site? Maybe they should buy a few more sites around it and possibly make the existing road a tunnel underneath the building? If they needed to I’m sure they could get rid of all the green space and just make it a really large building that takes up 100% of the site.
The proposed towers are way too big for the surrounding area and what impact will the development have on already overcrowded schools in the area and the traffic flow. Closing Sherwood road to traffic between Jephson Street and High Street would be detrimental to Toowong Village in terms of access to their car parks, the only access would be at the rear of the shopping centre which is no good for large volumes of traffic. The majority of green space is either on walls or on podium levels only accessible to residents. Impact on Toowong Village should also be assessed as it is already difficult to lease retail space without an influx in the area becoming available.
I agree that something needs to be built on that site but this is not the right development.
Toowong’s tallest building is currently 70m. The proposed buildings are between 177m and 209m. I have listed some other suburbs and their tallest approved buildings with many greater proposed heights pending approval.
Kangaroo Point 117m
Woolloongabba 118m
Portside 120m
Newstead 125m
East Brisbane 142m
South Brisbane 146m
I strongly support the Toowong Central proposal by Verso Development Group. This is exactly the kind of ambitious, integrated urban renewal that Brisbane needs to accommodate growth sustainably while creating a more vibrant and liveable city.
The location, adjacent to major public transport links and the Bicentennial Bikeway, makes it an ideal site for higher density living. Delivering more than 1,100 apartments alongside 12,000m² of retail and dining, as well as extensive landscaped plazas and public spaces, will ensure this precinct is not only a place to live, but also a destination for the wider community. The emphasis on greenery, open plazas, and pedestrian-friendly laneways reflects best practice in subtropical urban design and will help shift Toowong from being a traffic corridor to a people-focused hub.
This scale of densification will bring enormous benefits — more housing options, activation of underutilised land, and a boost to Toowong’s role as a major inner-west centre. Importantly, the project consolidates previous fragmented approvals into a coordinated vision, allowing for stronger integration of transport, retail, residential, and open space.
That said, I would encourage the inclusion of a few further considerations:
1. Active transport: While the proposal includes more than 1,100 bicycle spaces, there should be even stronger emphasis on high-quality cycle parking and end-of-trip facilities, given the site’s direct link to the Bicentennial Bikeway.
2. Sustainability and mobility: With the growing uptake of electric vehicles, additional EV charging infrastructure within the car park should be planned for, beyond baseline requirements, to future-proof the precinct.
3. Hospitality and culture: The dining and retail offer has the potential to make Toowong a true lifestyle destination. I would welcome an even stronger emphasis on hospitality infrastructure (e.g., late-night dining, bars, event spaces) to help position Toowong as a culturally competitive destination within Brisbane’s broader dining and entertainment landscape.
Overall, this is an excellent and much-needed project that will play a key role in shaping Toowong’s future. With a few refinements, Toowong Central could set a benchmark for how densification, sustainability, and cultural vibrancy can come together in Brisbane.
Gill, what do think about the impact of closing Sherwood Rd? How much traffic will that force down the back of Toowong Towers? The fact that it is 3 times the height allowance should give you pause for thought. Whilst the need for more housing is clear, we must take an integrated approach, not stick one-off massive towers in the middle of urban centres.
This planned development will have a detrimental effect on liveability through the sheer volume of additional traffic it creates, and the impact on traffic flows.
This is a negotiation. It’s a landmark development (the previous plans lacked ambition), but they’ll need to remove perhaps 20 storeys from each building. Did anyone expect people to buy those massive penthouses on each building in Toowong for over $30M?
Yeah I totally agree with this. The stock-standard developer sales pitch: add an extra 20 to 40 more storeys to your concept plan so that council has something to push back on. You never had any intention to build so high, it’s just a distraction to entangle council’s time and sap their energy prior to sit-down negotiations.
That way you’re free to fobb off other building requirement, such as those pesky “30% of the build must be affordable units.”
All great comments and concerns, I hope they don’t ruin Toowong like they have Milton. Terrible buildings, mismatched services and ugly appearances. Keep it timeless.