Hi Guys,

Found a new tower to the Albert St Mall. Application number: A002424681

http://pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au/MasterView/modules/documentmaster/viewdocumentftp.aspx?key=pDGvyFzSN3bM4mt0Sx%2by1gJIvNA4f27KyjfgFr1QZD9e9E3WI0zX0hv6IRjOBOYz

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5057/53289675.jpg
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5397/31719019.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/2529/52495263.jpg

Heyya, RG+P are still alive....

it's a vanilla-filla, not bad, not drop dead, but a competent addition. Actually probably a bit on the better side of average, grey glass and white is elegant so I give them props for that.

Reminds me of some Devine stuff tbh.

It'll cover up a decent proportion of T&G from the Southside.

Gah - so short! I know it's not all about height, but at least they could TRY!

Street level doesn't seem very appropriate for QSM area.

^^
Care to elaborate?

I think the street level will benefit from this proposal.
-Three levels of retail accomodating up to four new stores...
-Two, 2 storey shops
-Potential to accommodate a high profile flagship store such as Apple

nice filler. wont make an impact at all, but geez, it would be a fantastic location for work

-Potential to accommodate a high profile flagship store such as Apple
Holy shit dude, let it GO! Every time there's a potential retail development around the QSM area you crow about how Apple a sure to move into this one. What happened to the last three places you said Apple are "probably going to check out"?

^^

1) This is a forum and people are allowed to express their views and opinions
2) I said the two level store would be a good flagship store for a company such as Apple
3) Find me a post where I ever said that Apple was sure to move in
4) It hasn't been just me that has spoken about potential Apple stores so stop making out like it was

Apple Store's rock my world. I can't stop thinking about them. Messy.


...

^^ hahaha....

The only people seeing any benefit in something like this will be the developers.

It says 'Arcade opening' - does this imply there is some kind of arcade? Wowsers. Maybe they'll call it Apple Arcade.

fucking lol @ thread tags

Thats gonna be hard to build given its in a busy retail area. I can just imagine the trucks coming in and out = kaos!

^ they have managed to completely rebuild Pitt Street. I'm sure they can do the same on Albert Street.

I heard this got approval, I can't remember where I read it...damn it. Can anyone confirm this from me? Thanks

This will be built next to Hungry Jacks right?

Thats gonna be hard to build given its in a busy retail area. I can just imagine the trucks coming in and out = kaos!

isn't it chaos? kaos is from get smart.

I heard this got approval, I can't remember where I read it...damn it. Can anyone confirm this from me? ThanksThe DA was only lodged last month so not approved yet, although there is another slightly shorter office building proposed for this site which was rejected in April (A001906022), so this might be a modified version of that. Some more stats for this one:

Height: 16storeys (2 plant levels on top) with 2 basement levels - 60.85m above ground
Floor-to-floor height: 3.55m
GFA: 8819sqm NLA: 6255sqm
Width: 21.4m Length 31.1m
Lifts: 3 + 1 goods lift
Parking spaces: 37 bikes, 0 cars

:lol:
isn't it chaos? kaos is from get smart.

Well hopefully this DA gets approved. It would be a nice addition to the Albert Street Mall. General Pants Co looks like a factory warehouse, so cheap and nasty.

In regards to Apple, jokes aside, it is a good spot for a well known international brand to set up shop in Brisbane for the first time. I suppose that is one of the more disappointing things about Q&A Building at this time, it is just a doubling up process rather than new and exciting stores. I mean, even Adelaide has some stores we don't have (like Dangerfield and American Apparel)...

This little stretch of Albert Street is extremely busy - I think the construction of this one is going to cause enormous disruption!

I noticed that a public development application notice was on the site as I walked down Albert Street today, so I've looked again at the development application. Apparently, the current building, the William Cairncross Building, is a heritage listed building and BCC wouldn't accept the proposal as it was, citing:
The redesign must include a scheme which provides evidence of its original depth on its side wall, partial evidence of its original tenancy layouts and party walls, and perhaps part of its roof form. It is considered that the bulk of the significance of the building lies in its street facade above awning level. A redesign must enable the original roof form, tenancy partitions and depth of the building to be interpreted within the new scheme.

However, the facade is structurally unsound, and can't be completely retained it it's current state, so elements of it will be salvaged and rebuilt and integrated into a newly designed facade. I am trying to get the renders, but PDOnline is being difficult right now and isn't giving me access, but I do have a link to the document that details the responses to Council's concerns regarding the development:

LINK (http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/masterview/modules/documentmaster/viewdocumentftp.aspx?key=p4j9mRT%2fiFbM4mt0Sx%2by1hLq8QehqxXhDOq%2bj9djRDrDvWLQX966ig%3d%3d)

The DA is A002424681 if youwant to try your luck finding the new renders.

The new elevations and renders from the plans:

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/7614/190albertst1.jpg (http://img840.imageshack.us/i/190albertst1.jpg/)
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/8755/190albertst2.jpg (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/190albertst2.jpg/)
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2619/190albertst3.jpg (http://img641.imageshack.us/i/190albertst3.jpg/)
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6008/190albertst4.jpg (http://img175.imageshack.us/i/190albertst4.jpg/)
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/5132/190albertst5.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/190albertst5.jpg/)
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/174/190albertst6.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/190albertst6.jpg/)
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/425/190albertst7.jpg (http://img818.imageshack.us/i/190albertst7.jpg/)
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6929/190albertst8.jpg (http://img132.imageshack.us/i/190albertst8.jpg/)
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/4938/190albertst9.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/190albertst9.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Not too shabby.

Surely this would have to be up there as one of the most difficult CBD sites with regards to access..etc for construction?

Surely this would have to be up there as one of the most difficult CBD sites with regards to access..etc for construction?

You're not wrong about that! The amount of information that BCC requested from the developers regarding just the process of construction was huge! This section of Albert St is one of the busiest pedestrian thoroughfares in the CBD, so the construction procedures have to be nailed down perfectly not to cause chaos!

^^Just like to site across from Albert Street ;)

The new elevations and renders from the plans:
[/URL]
(http://img709.imageshack.us/i/190albertst5.jpg/)

(http://img818.imageshack.us/i/190albertst7.jpg/)

Uploaded with [URL="http://imageshack.us"]ImageShack.us (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/190albertst9.jpg/)

Thanks Nathan.
This will not get approved.
Gibson really should retire - he is getting stale.

Thanks Nathan.
This will not get approved.
Gibson really should retire - he is getting stale.

What makes you so sure of that, may I ask?

A lot of consultation with the council seems to have gone into this design, and it's gotten through to the public consultation stage. The heritage building appears to be almost beyond salvage, so this might be council's last chance of saving any of it, and to plug that hole in the Albert St Mall in the process.

Gibson really should retire - he is getting stale.

has he ever not been stale?

For anyone following this project, council's decision will be made by October 22nd. I hope it goes ahead, that little building is in really bad shape!

Historic building to make way for office block
Tony Moore
December 7, 2010 - 6:36AM
(http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/property/historic-building-to-make-way-for-office-block-20101206-18mqv.html)
http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2010/12/06/2082188/06-offices420-420x0.jpg

The site of a proposed 13-storey office development on Albert Street. Photo: Tony Moore

An inner-city building that has stood for nearly 150 years will be demolished after Brisbane City Council approves a new 13-storey office block today.

William Cairncross House, a two-storey brick and mortar building on Albert Street just off the Queen Street Mall, was built in 1865.

It is understood this morning's expected go-ahead for demolition will be based on two independent reports, requested by Brisbane City Council, that showed extensive structural damage due to water seepage caused by construction work on the Queen Street Busway in 1988.

Advertisement: Story continues below
An artist's impression of a proposed office development on Albert Street.
As part of the approval, the council will demand that as much of the facade of the building be retained as possible, despite the damage.

However, one report said it was not possible to retain even the facade of the building.

"The whole facade is supported by a foundation and footing system which has been irreparably damaged by subsidence/settlement caused by moisture migration from the foundation material under the Albert Street front wall footings," the report from Robin Gibson and Partners Architects said.

"This is caused by the 'drew down' of the water table due to excavation for the council bus tunnel to the Myer Centre and under Albert Street in 1988."

The report continues: "The whole facade is constructed out of weak, sandstone bricks using soft lime mortar which can be picked out of the perpends and bed joints with the fingers."

The building was constructed for William Cairncross, who was a prominent baker in Brisbane's early days, and designed by architect James Cowlishaw.

The council's neighbourhood planning chair, Amanda Cooper, said parts of the facade will be protected.

“The good news is that the bits of the William Cairncross building facade that can be saved will be carefully restored and retained for future generations to admire,” she said.

The reports found the section of the facade closest to the Myer Centre was the only relatively intact section of the original building.

“Unfortunately, due to the poor condition of the brickwork only the corner sections of the facade can be retained, but they will be a permanent reminder of the character and history of early Brisbane life,” Cr Cooper said.

The restoration of the shop front will be undertaken as part of a redevelopment of the site, which will see the 13-storey "Cairncross" office tower built in its place.

The proposal includes three levels of retail and 10 storeys of office accommodation.

Cr Cooper said due to the delicate nature of the William Cairncross Building facade, a number of conditions had been imposed on the development application.

“Prior to commencement of demolition works, a measured drawing and photographic record of the heritage place must be undertaken and forwarded to council,” she said.

The council previously rejected a development application on the site that proposed the full demolition of the shopfront on structural grounds.

The William Cairncross Building is one of only two known surviving commercial buildings design by prominent Queensland architect James Cowlishaw.

The land and building is now owned by Wallace Bishop jewellers, which asked that the office tower retain the Cairncross name.

Queensland's National Trust has long argued that any development of the building must take the building's historical significance into account.

The Cairncross family also built the house "Colmslie" at Morningside in 1881, which has been demolished.

http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2010/12/06/2082191/06-offices200-200x0.jpg

^^ and here come the comments of people saying "Oh noes, we're tearing down another heritage building, it's the bellevue all over again!!!!11!"

I'm usually very much for saving heritage buildings where ever possible too, but they don't realise that, in this case, the building is too damaged to be retained. Go inside and you see that it's currently being held up by a patchwork of external steel beams and brackets, with two separate structural reports saying it's structurally unsound.

I think keeping the corner sections and the interpretive measures used are a good midway point in this case.

POS

unfortunate that it's so structurally unstable.

regarding the coments, i don't think most people actually read the full article - they skim, get incensed and beat out a few lines about how horrible it is to destroy herritage buildings.

^^ Exactly... all they will read is "Historic building to make way for office block" then go off telling their friends that Brisbane's a cultural backwater.

Sucks that its unstable, but at least we won't lose the entire building.

- Three floors of retail? its just one floor right now isn't it?

Oh dear with some of the comments from readers...

^^ Yeah, there's currently only three shops in the building I believe, one of which is currently empty. I reckon the new one will work in a similar vein to the shops in Albert Lane across the street.

I hate it when these commenters go on about how Brisbane is a cultural backwater, and that we've destroyed all our heritage buildings, because both are so utterly untrue! We've become much more cultured in recent years, with the opening of GOMA being a major example.

And as for no remaining heritage buildings, half of QSM/ASM has buildings and/or facades that date back to 1950 and (much) earlier, then there's the old Govt buildings on George St like the Treasury Casino & Hotel, the Printing Office, the Public Services Club, etc, etc. While down on Edward St/lower Queen St we have the Macarthur Building, the GPO and the Anzac Square precinct.

And that's without leaving the central CBD!

^^ Exactly... a lot of Brisbane people are pretty oblivious about things like historical buildings and activity spots in the city.

So many Brisbane people I know haven't even been to West End, New Farm or Teneriffe... and its no surprise they are the ones always putting down Brisbane, because they spend their days and nights in their sheltered western suburbs homes.

^^ Exactly... a lot of Brisbane people are pretty oblivious about things like historical buildings and activity spots in the city.

So many Brisbane people I know haven't even been to West End, New Farm or Teneriffe... and its no surprise they are the ones always putting down Brisbane, because they spend their days and nights in their sheltered western suburbs homes.

I've lived in Brisbane most of my life and I intentionally don't go to those areas...people are way to random / Spiv like.

Just to confirm, I do not like chai or soy lattee's....

I've lived in Brisbane most of my life and I intentionally don't go to those areas...people are way to random / Spiv like.

Just to confirm, I do not like chai or soy lattee's....
HHmmmm.....I have lived in Teneriffe for 15 years. In what way am I "random" or "spiv like"....please elaborate. I am not fond of chai tea or soy lattes either but remain baffled as to what exactly you are on about.

I've lived in Brisbane most of my life and I intentionally don't go to those areas...people are way to random / Spiv like.

Just to confirm, I do not like chai or soy lattee's....

Its called culture.

You can't really judge people merely because they have no need to venture into some suburbs. A lot of people in the greater Brisbane area never do venture into the CBD or even close to it... Not because they're ignorant or stupid, but because they have absolutely no need.

I've lived in Brisbane most of my life and I intentionally don't go to those areas...people are way to random / Spiv like.

Just to confirm, I do not like chai or soy lattee's....

if you don't like it, you don't like it - but with i think SVQ1 is on about are the people who don't even know that there are areas like that in Brisbane.

^^ That's what SVQ1 and I were on about. We have people saying that Brisbane has 'no heritage' left, without ever venturing into Fortitude Valley/Teneriffe (which are home to some of Brisbane's best heritage buildings in my opinion). Ok, we may not have as much as Melbourne, but we never had as many buildings of the quality as in Melbourne, even back 100 years ago! But what we do have are definitely buildings to be proud of.

As for people saying that Brisbane is a cultural backwater, they seem to do so without checking out the local indie culture brewing in the Valley and West End, or without having a look at the world class exhibitions that have been held at GOMA since it's opening, or the performances being held at QPAC or the Powerhouse.