Sherpa Property Group has lodged a development application for Symphony, a 27-storey residential tower at 21–23 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane. Located in the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct, the proposal seeks to deliver high-density housing while responding sensitively to two adjoining heritage places.
The Symphony development occupies a 1,239m² site currently home to a low-rise commercial building slated for demolition. Designed by HAL Architects, the tower adopts a subtropical aesthetic with generous planting, a scalloped podium edge, and a rhythm of alternating balcony planters on its façade. Two basement levels and a four-level podium would support the residential tower above.
The site adjoins two local heritage-listed buildings: the former Jolly & Batchelor boot factory to the north, and the former Catholic Apostolic Church to the west. These heritage structures have played key roles in South Brisbane’s industrial and spiritual history.
The building comprises of 147 apartments ranging from 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments, with 48 apartments allocated as short term rentals. A six-metre setback from Cordelia Street enables a landscaped forecourt and buffers the new development from the historic boot factory’s brick façade. Vertical greenery and sculpted building edges help soften the podium’s relationship to the streetscape.
The top two levels of Symphony would be dedicated to rooftop recreation, including a pool, shaded outdoor lounges, barbeque spaces, and subtropical landscaping. The rooftop zones aim to provide high-quality communal spaces with city views for residents.
Sherpa founder Christie Leet said this project marks a major milestone for the group, which has delivered 16 residential projects across South East Queensland and is actively expanding its pipeline across Brisbane and the southern Gold Coast.
“Flourish has been so well received because it offers well-crafted apartments at an attainable price-point, without cutting corners on quality or liveability.”
“Symphony is an incredibly exciting step for us, it’s our first move into inner Brisbane, and we see huge potential here to deliver something different in a market that really needs it.”
“We’re giving more first home buyers and local downsizers the chance to secure a well-designed apartment from $695,000 in one of Brisbane’s most walkable, connected, and vibrant neighbourhoods,” said Mr Leet.
At street level, a commercial tenancy fronting Cordelia Street would activate the public realm, supported by integrated street furniture and garden beds. Deep planting zones and integrated vertical greenery across the building’s elevations contribute to the project’s subtropical identity.
Project Rundown
Development Parameter | Proposed Development |
---|---|
Address: | 21–23 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane |
Development Type: | Residential Tower with Ground Floor Commercial |
Site Area: | 1,239m² |
Gross Floor Area (GFA): | Approximately 13,078m² |
Height: | 27 storeys / approximately 86.3 metres |
Apartments: | 147 apartments (15 x 1 bed, 83 x 2 bed, 45 x 3 bed, 4 x 4 Bed) with 15 x 1 Beds & 33 x 2 Bed apartments allocated to short term accommodation |
Elevators: | 3 elevators (lift-to-unit ratio 1:66) |
Communal Space: | Two levels of rooftop recreation including gym, pool, landscaped terraces, barbeque and private dining areas, hot magnesium spa, cold plunge as well as steam and sauna rooms |
Retail: | One ground floor commercial tenancy |
Car Parking: | 200 residential car parks + 8 visitor bays |
Bike Parking: | 155 resident bike spaces + 34 visitor spaces |
Developer: | Sherpa Property Group |
Architect: | Hayes Anderson Lynch (HAL Architects) |
Landscape Design: | Place Design Group |
Town Planner: | Urbis |
Sustainability: | – Rooftop Solar: No rooftop solar proposed – Energy Efficiency: Subtropical design with deep planting and balcony shading – Waste Management: Refuse room located on ground floor with dual general and recycling waste chutes provided to every level, encouraging building recycling – Water Conservation: Rainwater harvesting tank located on roof – Green Landscaping: Vertical gardens, rooftop planting, deep planting zones – Active Transport Facilities: 155 bike spaces |
Date Submitted: | 30th June 2025 |
Assessment Level: | Code Assessable under TLPI 01/2023 |
DA Application Link: | A006806836 |
Sherpa Property Group is a privately owned development company based on the Gold Coast. Its portfolio focuses on residential and mixed-use projects targeted at owner-occupiers. Notable past projects include:
- Perspective Broadwater in Biggera Waters, a waterfront apartment project
- Perspective Ashmore, a townhouse community
- Freedom Birtinya, a retirement living precinct
The proposal for Symphony aligns with recent planning reforms introduced under the Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) currently in effect across South Brisbane. These changes have reshaped the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct to support greater residential density and increased building heights.
Located within the Kurilpa Core Area, the site forms part of a strategic inner-city corridor earmarked to accommodate a significant share of Brisbane’s future population growth. The updated planning framework encourages development that embraces subtropical design, contributes to the public realm, and responds sensitively to surrounding heritage and character elements.
We don’t need more concrete buildings to effect on Brisbane heritage and on the environment.
Looks good. Not sure what the strategy is with the short term apartments. It’s fine if it’s a seperate building but mixed in with owners and renters; it kinda ruins the community vibe