First look: ETU lodge plans for build-to-rent South Brisbane apartment tower

The Electrical Trades Union of Employees Queensland has submitted plans for a 358 build-to-rent apartment tower in the heart of South Brisbane.

The 1838 sqm site at 37-41 Peel Street, on the corner of Peel Street and Merivale Street, will home a 30-level building which has been designed by Nettletontribe to suit the rental market, with the unit mix including studio's and one and two-bedders.

With an intent to increase the pedestrian activation along Peel Street and address the footpath treatment, ground floor activation and podium treatment has been considered to contribute positively to its context through the introduction of high-quality landscape to the streetscape.

The Queensland sub-tropical climate is reflected in the built form and landscape design with planted edges and shady under croft pedestrian paths. A tropical green language is used to assist with podium screening and the planter boxes provide a multi-faceted layering of detail.

Podium elevation of the proposed development on Merivale Street. Image sourced. 

The tower extends this concept with planter boxes along the tower edge, and a landscaped rooftop communal and pool area.

A refined palette of natural tones and textures is used throughout with the architectural language expressing “elegance through simplicity”.

“Materials such as concrete, metal, glass and timber are combined with lush greenery to create a timeless design impression,” Nettltontribe noted in their design statement.

The proposal provides a distinct lower and upper building form, with the building entry points articulated and well defined for pedestrians, with a resemblance to Queenslander’s gatehouse and forecourt. Street awnings and podium structures are designed to provide high degree of shade, cover and visual interest in various depth and scale.

The proposed development at 37-41 Peel Street, South Brisbane. Image sourced. 

A transparent street edge has been created through the use of screening, allowing activation to occur on the periphery of the ground floor common area.

Common areas are located on landscaped street level, level 30 and the roof terrace. Sitting above all residential floors, both indoor and outdoor communal areas take advantage of natural lighting and provide access to sweeping views to the city, South Bank and the river for all its residents.

The City Rooms along peel street provides immediate interface between residents, visitors and the public, with breakout landscaped spaces for users that are sensitive to Brisbane’s subtropical climate and appropriate for the Brisbane culture and character.

The apartment tower design celebrates a landscaped, open roof terrace, connected to common areas in the level below, with sweeping 360 degree views to the North and South.

This provides a natural conclusion to the building form, enhancing future opportunities for communal gathering in an organised setting.

The project brings into play Brisbane City Council’s vision of engaging the broader community through art and lighting with a number of design ideas. The group have proposed that the site’s corner location offers opportunity to utilise the ground plane as a place for activation and engagement, hence the need for a sensitively lit podium to ensure the safety of the general public, while the podium soffit can be utilised as a canvas for light installations with colour-adaptable up lights that engage with Brisbane City sporting events and celebrations.

Elevated view of the landscaped podium at Peel Street. Image sourced. 

Sculptural public art is envisaged on the prime corner location which assist in creating a meeting place and way-finding into the building as well as an art display wall at the building’s entry, amplifying the ground plane experience and tying into Brisbane’s developing art scene within the neighbourhood.

The site is located in the Brisbane suburb of South Brisbane on the corner of Peel Street and Merivale street, approximately 1.3 kilometres south west of the city centre. The site is close by to a number of notable amenities including the South Brisbane Railway Station, the State Library, QPAC, GOMA, South Bank Parklands, the M3 and inner city bypass.

Well within walking distance to both cultural and life style hubs, the pocket location offers separation from unwanted noise and traffic within its pedestrian orientated urban context, while still staying connected to the bustling Brisbane suburb.

Build-to-Rent (BTR) is an emerging asset class in Australia with some forms of BTR already established within the Australian market including Purpose Built Student Accommodation and Aged Care / Retirement Housing currently being the most prolific.

Other build to rent sites include Frasers 210 Brunswick Street, Mirav’s, LIV at 60 Skyring Terrace, 2 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane, 28 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley and 13-17 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane.