Pulse of the city

Mixed-use developments may not be a new idea homes above shops were commonplace in Victorian times but the concept has taken on new meaning in recent years. The increasing demand for inner-city housing, coupled with limited availability, has seen developers introduce new models for integrated living.

SW1 in Brisbane's South Bank precinct a joint venture by Austcorp and Property Solutions Group is proving that a mixed-use commercial-lifestyle development can be a highly successful proposition.

Residents have already moved into apartments in the first residential stage, with sales finalised off the plan. And the first commercial stage, featuring two buildings, was fully leased before completion. The final commercial buildings are now coming on stream and are almost fully leased.

Property Solutions Group managing director David Blanck says the fully leased buildings are a testament to the marketing initiative, the quality of the project and the broad business opportunities it presents.

"This landmark mixed-use precinct has arrived in Brisbane at a time when opportunities to occupy a new, architecturally designed building in the inner city are limited," he says. "Combine that with SW1's location, just 750m from the Queen Street Mall and close to public transport, and it is clear why SW1 has become such a sought-after place to live and do business."

Construction will shortly begin on the final residential stage of the development 38 terrace houses, which are inspired by inner-city London's charming 19th-century terraces. The terrace houses will feature a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom layouts over three levels. The terrace houses, which will be launched publicly in early 2009, will be constructed in four separate buildings overlooking a central, private garden.

The terrace housing release follows the highly successful offering of 58 apartments in the Eden and Dos residential buildings, which were all sold off the plan.

Overall, six different architects, including a landscape architect, were engaged for SW1, says Austcorp Queensland built form manager Alison Quinn.

"Spreading the design portfolio meant each component of the development could have its own unique character," she says. "At the same time, however, the buildings are linked by a cohesive overall landscape. When completed, all of the buildings at SW1 will be linked by a pedestrian spine."

The terrace houses have been designed by the multi award-winning team at Fairweather Proberts, while the four-storey Dos apartment building was designed by Haysom Architects. This renowned company also built the award-winning Byron at Byron Resort.

The five-storey Eden was designed by leading architectural firm JMA, headed by John Mainwaring, one of Australia's most influential architects and a winner of the country's most prestigious residential architectural prize, the Robin Boyd Award. JMA project architect Garth Hollindale, who was one of the first to buy an apartment in Eden, says the fundamental principle behind the building's design is the provision of a central urban breezeway, which provides the units with excellent cross ventilation something that is typically lacking in multi-residential buildings of this type in Southeast Queensland.

Alison Quinn says that from the outset, SW1 has been designed with energy efficiency in mind. Other sustainable design initiatives include water cycle management, with on-site water storage tanks, the use of low-VOC materials and finishes that improve indoor environmental quality, and energy-efficient lighting.

Amenities provided within SW1 include a retail plaza, which consists of pedestrian arcades surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants. A large square within the plaza forms the gateway to the pedestrian spine running between the South Bank and West End precincts.

SW1 is being developed on a 1.8ha site between Melbourne and Russell Streets, adjacent to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. As well as being close to Queen Street Mall, the largest retail area in Southeast Queensland, the development is just 250m from South Bank Kodak Beach.

For further information, or to register interest in the SW1 terrace houses to be released early next year, phone 1300 971 000. Website: www.sw1.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas