Architectural studio TURNER has unveiled River Terrace, a new mixed-use project planned for the banks of the Tweed River in Tweed Heads. Commissioned by the Briscoe Hotel Group, the 72-apartment building would be the first to rise in the Southern Boat Harbour Precinct, establishing a benchmark for design as the area undergoes significant transformation.
Located at a prominent gateway site on the threshold between Queensland and New South Wales, River Terrace has been shaped by its responsibility to act as a landmark entry point into the Tweed Heads city centre. The project was required to comply with Tweed Shire Council’s Design Excellence Guideline before it could proceed, prompting TURNER to collaborate with Government Architect NSW, council officers and an independent review panel to address design quality.
Associate Director Claire Malin said the process helped establish a new framework for future development. “Because the site sits at one of the main entry points to the city, it was critical to meet design excellence requirements,” she said. “We developed a new process with the council and Government Architect NSW that has set higher standards for architectural outcomes across the precinct.”
River Terrace has been conceived as a slender, sculptural form, with apartments arranged in a single-depth configuration. This approach not only enhances the building’s visual profile but also ensures every residence achieves natural cross-ventilation. Each apartment would feature either harbour or hinterland views, along with individual entry points and dedicated storage spaces for surfboards and bicycles.
The design integrates subtropical living with shaded balconies, open-air circulation and perforated metal panels to filter the western sun. On the eastern side, wide terraces maximise riverfront outlooks, merging light, views and shade to create what TURNER describes as a layered experience of light and shadow.
At ground level, River Terrace is intended to connect directly with the broader vision for the Southern Boat Harbour Precinct. Landscaped spaces, waterside walkways and public connections would encourage activity along the waterfront, with retail and dining tenancies activating the river edge.
Associate Design Strategist Martin Petru said engagement with the Aboriginal Land Council was central to shaping the project’s landscape strategy. “We gained valuable insights into the ecological and cultural values of the site, and worked with our landscape designers to embed local seasonality into the scheme,” he said. “The approach aims to attract and sustain birdlife while reflecting the rhythms of the natural environment.”
As the first development in the Southern Boat Harbour, River Terrace is expected to act as a catalyst for subsequent projects, both in architectural character and in the way it connects with public spaces. TURNER said the project responds directly to the Tweed region’s lifestyle, where access to the outdoors and a strong connection to the environment are highly valued.
With its mix of residential apartments, active ground plane and waterfront integration, River Terrace is positioned to become a defining project for Tweed Heads as the precinct evolves.
