Application number: A003071741
Proposal: 3 Tower, 502 unit development + Extension of the Chalk Hotel.

This one slipped under the radar ;)

I like in Brisbane at the moment how a 30, 25 and 20 storey development can "slip under the radar"

Some renders.... (more to come)

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk4.jpg

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk1.jpg

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk3.jpg

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk2.jpg

Meh nothing flash, same cookie cutter highrise boxes...

Wow, this came out of nowhere. Woolloongabba is going to look amazing in a few years. Looks good to me, anything is better than Gabba Central and the Telstra Exchange.

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk5.jpg

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk6.jpg

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk7.jpg

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk8.jpg

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/Chalk9.jpg

As Swifty78 said, nothing exceptional design wise, just your run of the mill resi buildings, but it's a great use for all the land behind the Chalk. It appears to fit in well with the heritage buildings around the site, and it's building up the Gabba which is no bad thing at all!

I'm hoping that developments like this will help revitalise the businesses just down the road on Stanley St up towards the Mater. So many beautiful old buildings with obvious potential along that stretch of road sitting largely empty. It's on my revitalisation wishlist right up there with the Valley!

The surprising thing is the extention of the Chalk. It's not exactly a small venue as it is, and this will make it absolutely massive!

Thanks for posting this, was looking at this the other day. Should be a nice catalyst if it stacks up!

this would be a great development for the area.

if it actually goes ahead.

I would actually consider buying one, great for a night out.

Wow, really big.

Can anyone in the know give a percentage scale of how likely this is to happen? Seems to have been a lot of plans and projects in the area, and the 8 level one opposite the Gabba on Vulture street is the only one that's reached u/c status.

Good location, especially if the underground ever gets built. But will they have their city views obscured if the big project on the Go Print site happens?

I really hope the CRR gets moving, it would definitely make these even more attractive for people to invest or live in.

But 30 floors! Woah, soon the Gabba will be our new 'Southern CBD'.

double post

The CRR will not happen in its current form because the governnent has no money to do it now and when Newman is premier he will go with a different scheme.

Looks pretty good for a non-CBD location, I'm with Jesse!

Woolloongabba is going to look and feel great if this and the Go Print site get off the ground

The CRR will not happen in its current form because the governnent has no money to do it now and when Newman is premier he will go with a different scheme.
Wasn't it Newman who was touting that a Brisbane metro would be a better option? Albeit he was lord mayor of Brisbane at the time. Still, interesting times for the future of public transport infrastructure if he is elected. Might push things back a number of years though.

Exactly my point. He will favour spending money on a metro and coming up with a cheaper solution to the merivale bridge

^^The point of CRR was there was no real cheaper solution with the Merivale Bridge. It was investigated as part of the whole study. (ICRCS)

Either way, I would imagine the Gabba would get a Metro Station if it doesn't get CRR.

Good to see something happening over this side of the river. The area is a complete let down and has been treated as a drive-through for too long.

I really hope the CRR in whatever form it eventually takes goes through, this is a nice resi cookie cutter, but it does not look all that bad, Wooloongabba will be transfformed in the next couple of years the way things are shaping up.

Great medium sized project. All the more reason for massively upgraded PT in the area, and also hopefully a catalyst for further similar proposals.

Moderately ugly but at least appears to be active at ground level and the area has a fair bit of ugly going on anyway. So good on it.

What on earth the point of expanding Chalk could possibly be however escapes me.

^^ After looking closer at the plans I think I know the reason for the extension. I think it's to replace space that will be lost - I think that the redevelopment will involve the demolition of the current Lions Den around the back of the Chalk. The extension to the side of the Chalk will most likely be a new Lions Den, I would think!

Write up in the Brisbane Times (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/rising-from-the-chalk-20110518-1et0c.html)

^^ And the NIMBY's are now on the case... *sigh*

Don't these idiots realise how much enviromentally better it is to have concentrated apartments in one place, close to PT and the city. Do they want the suburbs to expand forever?

Anyway, some pictures from my walk around the Gabba this morning

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/5194/p5190001z.jpg

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5007/p5190002.jpg

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3817/p5190003.jpg

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/294/p5190004f.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/2792/p5190013.jpg

Application number: A003071741
Proposal: 3 Tower, 502 unit development + Extension of the Chalk Hotel.

This one slipped under the radar ;)

A lot of suburban stuff is slipping under the radar. Good find :lol:

I go to the Chalk a lot and I had no idea.

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/05/18/2370280/Gabba_729a-420x0.jpg

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/05/18/2370281/Gabba_729b-420x0.jpg

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/05/18/2370289/Gabba_729c-420x0.jpg

Rising from the Chalk

The owner of Brisbane's Chalk Hotel has unveiled his plans to build three residential highrises in Woolloongabba.

BT Hotels and Property Group director Steve Hammond has lodged an application with Brisbane City Council to develop three towers of 20, 25 and 30 storeys.

Mr Hammond hopes to build the three towers behind the existing Chalk Hotel on land he has progressively accumulated over seven years

The towers will house 502 one- and two-bedroom apartments, with prices to be limited to about $400,000 for nurses and administration staff at three major surrounding hospitals: the Mater Hospital, the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the soon-to-be completed Queensland Childrens' Hospital.

Under the proposal the Chalk Hotel, which is 200 metres from the Gabba and now in its fifth year of operation, will be incorporated into the residential development that will front Hubert, Reid and Stanley streets.

The site is located directly opposite land reserved by the state government for a transit-oriented development that will allow towers 40 storeys high, but is not included in the Urban Land Development Authority's footprint.

The project will include 1400 square metres of retail space, and also public space and possible short-term accommodation.

Mr Hammond said the development was suited to the site at the end of Woolloongabba's heritage retail precinct.
"We've developed the Chalk Hotel so we have a proven record of taking something old and creating an exciting place for people in the community," he said.

"It always has [been my vision], that's why we came here in the first place.

"If you're going to build anything you're better off being here because you're in a fairly commercial type area anyway. We look at it as being like another precinct.

"It's not one building, it's going to be a community."

Mr Hammond said he hoped the development would be viewed more favourably since the ULDA assumed control of Go Print on the opposite side of Stanley Street.

Council Neighbourhood Planning and Development chairman Amanda Cooper said the proposal was encouraging.
"It's great to see more proposals for investment on the back of our $9 million spent rejuvenating the Gabba shopping precinct in recent years," she said.

"Council officers will assess this application like any other development, but don't forget that 30-storey buildings have been approved by the state government's ULDA directly across the road."

Woolloongabba councillor Helen Abrahams said she was concerned at the height of the proposed development.
"However I have been briefed and there is huge community benefit in an open piazza and mixed use of restaurants and shops as part of this application," she said.

"I know that Woolloongabba at the moment is in desperate need for some renewal to reinvigorate what was a great retail node when I was a young kid."

The development has been designed by Kris Kowalski Architects, who also designed Baroque Tower, 212 Margaret Street, Vue Apartments and SOHO at West End.

The proposal is in accordance with the State Government's South-East Queensland Regional Plan, which lists Woolloongabba as a "major activity node".

Although the plan does deviate from the council's Woolloongabba Centre Neighbourhood Plan, which restricts buildings along the Stanley Street corridor to six storeys, it will be subject to an impact assessment.
In 2006, Mr Hammond sold the Regatta Hotel in Toowong for $32 million.


http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/rising-from-the-chalk-20110518-1et0c.html#ixzz1MleeBiTP

Rising from the Chalk
with prices to be limited to about $400,000 for nurses and administration staff at three major surrounding hospitals: the Mater Hospital, the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the soon-to-be completed Queensland Childrens' Hospital.

hmm, what about other people that work at those hospitals?

They are rich enough to live somewhere better.

I like this. The more developments like this we see in The Gabba the more opportunities for business in the area. I predict growth in commercial and retail around there too. More people = more shops etc.

Gabba highrises a pipe dream
Analyst Marissa Calligeros
May 20, 2011 - 3:00AM. (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/property/gabba-highrises-a-pipe-dream-analyst-20110519-1eut2.html)

The development of three residential highrises in the inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba will remain a pipe dream for at least five years, a leading property analyst says.

Michael Matusik said the proposal for three towers of 20, 25 and 30 storeys behind the Chalk Hotel on Stanley Street would fail in the current market, despite the state government's South East Regional Plan, which prescribes infill, high-density development for the area.

"It doesn't matter what the State Government wants, what matters foremost and utmost is what the market wants," he said.


Mr Matusik said a development of this scale - 502 units - would fail to secure the pre-sales necessary to cement crucial financial backing.

"I can't see how the market is going to rush at this," he said. "There is virtually no demand for apartment stock at the moment."

The developer behind the proposal, Steve Hammond, said the project would be shovel-ready with the council's approval.....

^^ The title of that article is a bit misleading, because there are 4 or 5 different sets of views on the subject, and not all of them are negative. There's also the fact that I'm sure the owner developing it wouldn't be short a few quid, after all he did sell the Regatta Hotel for $31 million or something like that.

But, time will tell...

the crux of the article is this:

developer needs to sell 65% of the apartments to get bank funding

matusik believes there is no market for the apartments and they won't sell the required 65%.

even harry triguboff has to sell 65% to get bank funding. so if there is no market then this developer (and every other developer) is in trouble.

There is an interesting point about apartment living in the comments. Brisbane developers are trying to squeeze as many units as possible into each development. Making such small pokey units that compared to houses no-one really wants to live in them, especially families. And it is true that a lot of apartment prices are not that "bargain looking" when compared to houses that are perhaps a bit more of a commute away.

^^Families make up such a small percent of dwellings though.

In Australia they do, but i think that trend is starting to change.

This is a development that includes short term accommodation, and will cater for singles and couples (not families) that work in an around the inner south and CBD as well as students from UQ, QUT and Griffith.

It is a bit of a stretch Aussie Bhoy to say that no-one wants to live in appartments.

Well... Matusik is normally right.

Well... Matusik is normally right.

Debatable. His ego will say that but....it is not often the case. Its the reason why a lot of the larger developers will not engage him independantly.

I am not a huge fan of over development in fringe / suburban fringe areas (Taringa TOD for example - that one was a stupid scheme)...but, something about the scheme allows me to support it.

One question I have without viewing the application in detail is how the developer has addressed the traffic / access requirements of the project. If the way I read it is correct, the small laneway to the side of the Chalk hotel is insufficient for the location / density of the project.

Regardless, I'll put my hand up and say I hope this one proceeds.

Well... Matusik is normally right.

He is saying it is uneconomical to build unless you can get $450,000 - $500,000 for a 50sqm apartment. That's garbage. There are fringe CBD developments in Sth Brisbane, Kelvin Grove, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills with 50sqm 1 bed apartments staring from $295,000.

I think he may have an interest in this development not proceeding that he has not revealed.

Hmm... He would be one the ones, if not the one who gets it right the most. Property cycles are too complex to master perfectly, but he's not too bad. I've been following a number of his long term predictions and they're mostly spot on.

You may well be right, however.

I was a little over the top. I do agree it is a risky development, however I do see that the developer has an alternative interest in getting the Woolloongabba 'CBD' kickstarted as the more people living and working there, the more profits his hotel will bring in. He is the one developer who would be willing to take this risk as his profits in other areas will increase regardless.

Thgis is a development that includes short term accommodation, and will cater for singles and couples (not families) that work in an around the inner south and CBD as well as students from UQ,QUT and Griffith.

It is a bit of a stretch Aussie Bhoy to say that no-one wants to live in appartments.

I want to live in apartments, I currently do and I want to get a better one in the next couple of years. But I must admit when you look at some 2 bedroom units around the 500K mark, and then look at houses selling for the same, and I've seen 4 bedroom places, yards, etc, etc. I can see why many people opt for the house.

This out of centre development would really benefit from the Cross River Rail starting soon but now it is delayed and it could be completely re-engineered and re-timed in terms of when it comes on-line with the possible change of government it may be a another dead fish in the water.

I think this particular project can't be the first type of it's kind in a new precinct in order for it to be successful.

I went for a walk around the area today and couldnt believe the amount of development thats really come out of nowhere, in 10 years the area will looks great

This out of centre development would really benefit from the Cross River Rail starting soon but now it is delayed and it could be completely re-engineered and re-timed in terms of when it comes on-line with the possible change of government it may be a another dead fish in the water.

while i agree that the CRR would be very beneficial to this project, it currently has very decent public transport links with the busway providing services every few minutes.

Looks like Council is going to give this a green light. The NIMBYS are massing...

Gabba towers set to be approved
Date
November 13, 2012 - 2:04PM
43 reading nowBe the first to comment Read later

Katherine Feeney
brisbanetimes.com.au urban affairs reporter and blogger


An application to develop a key tract of land behind Woolloongabba's Chalk Hotel has been carried at council, paving the way for a multi-million dollar mixed-use project spanning two residential towers, a hotel and a swag of new retail tenancies.

The tallest building on the site will stand at 20 storeys, 10 less than initially proposed by the applicant, BT Hotels and Property Group director Steve Hammond in May last year.

Another apartment tower rising to 18 storeys and a hotel tower at 12 storeys have also been carried as part of a plan councillors, at this morning's Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment committee meeting, agreed would dramatically change the Gabba precinct.

Local councillor Helen Abrahams voiced her support for the scaled-back version of the DA, agreeing there was need for more dwellings in the area, but voted against the motion to carry.

The DA received 207 submissions from the public of which 187 were valid. Only 12 were in support, but 184 of the 195 objections were in pro forma style.

Locals who spoke out against the development at a council meeting in February this year raised concerns about the noise, extra traffic and change to the lifestyle entailed.

Greg Manning, whose family's home shares a property boundary with the site, said he was particularly concerned about the likely length of the construction period.

“Pollution, noise and lack of privacy are bad for the physical and the mental

health of all of our family members when the kids come inside," he said.

“A long construction period exposes my family to the unpredictable and disruptive movement of workers and vehicles and, once it is completed, this application proposes low-rise villas leering over our back fence.”

But it was the committee's consensus today that the benefits to Brisbane at large outweighed the immediate costs.

In particular, committee chairman councillor Amanda Cooper said the development would help address concerns about affordable housing in the inner-city in the future.

But Cr Cooper acknowledged the higher density brought by the development would alter the character of the precinct, but said the Neighbourhood Plan approved for the southern part of neighbouring Kangaroo Point earlier this year would mitigate the impact.

“We locked quite a bit of character housing up at Kangaroo Point,” she said.

“This is a great place for people who want to live close to the CBD. If we don't create opportunities we are going to drive up the cost of houses in this city.”

The sprawling development will see 17 lots at the juncture of Reid and Stanley streets merged into two, with some post-1946 extensions at the rear of the Chalk Hotel demolished to make way for three towers.

Latest plans allow for 467 units across 3000 square metres of centre activity, with significant deep-planting framing ground-floor retail tenancies in tropical landscaping.

The project designers are Kris Kowalski Architects.

Mr Hammond has been progressively accumulating land behind the Chalk over the past seven years.

He was unavailable for comment today.

The application will be brought to council next week and is expected to be approved subject to the conditions in the development approval package.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/property/gabba-towers-set-to-be-approved-20121113-299rp.html#ixzz2C4hBOMYq