Pellicano revise plans for South City Square tower in Woolloongabba

Pellicano and Perri Projects' South City Square is set to include seven buildings ranging between 15 and 18 storeys, delivering around 1000 residences across the project.
Pellicano revise plans for South City Square tower in Woolloongabba
A render of the proposed tower. Image sourced.
Alison Warters April 12, 2022

Pellicano and Perri Projects have revised plans for their South City Square development in Woolloongabba, with the proposal seeking to change Stages 4C and 5B in the development.

The purpose of the proposed changes is to accommodate detailed design requirements and respond to current market feedback. The changes predominately relate to improving the functionality and occupancy of the building through provision of enhanced communal open space for residents and additional commercial floor space.

Notably, the minor changes proposed in this application have been devised through a rigorous design competition between various architectural firms, with the winning design developed by Woods Bagot, carefully selected given its impressive design which also successfully addressed key functional outcomes.

Pellicano revise plans for South City Square tower in Woolloongabba
Rendering of the proposed tower facade in Stage 4C and 5B that has been updated to follow the Buildings that Breathe guidelines. Images sourced.  

Since the land use mix was approved in 2017, there has been a change to the anticipated market demand resulting in a higher demand for short-term accommodation and commercial spaces, as opposed to longer term apartment style tenure, in which the proposal seeking to remove multiple dwellings, to accommodate a higher proportion of commercial spaces including office and function facilities.

The group's South City Square is set to include seven buildings ranging between 15 and 18 storeys, delivering around 1000 residences across the project.

Currently under construction and highlighted in the minor change application is Stage 4C, which will be a podium level incorporating retail tenancies, sitting below the proposed tower scheduled for Stage 5B, comprising a Hyatt Place hotel, residential apartments and indoor sport and recreational space.

The lower portion of the tower will consist of commercial floors, with levels 3-4 dedicated for a retail gym. The facades to these levels will be predominantly glazed, with a mix of solid panels and sun shading where required.

Level 10 will be home to a wellness space, acting as a break to the building and separating the commercial and hotel uses.

Hyatt Place will operate from levels 11 to 18, with landscape integration in the form of stacked planters adding a softness to the façade, whilst providing elevated greenery, visual amenity, and sun shading. Level 18 will also house a function room on the northern side.

Subsequent to the original approval, there has been a substantial shift in the market and the current design of the façade is outdated.

“There has also been a release of the ‘Buildings that Breathe’ design guide, to ensure development reflects the importance of Brisbane becoming a ‘New World City’,” said Urbis in their application letter for the minor change approval.

Pellicano revise plans for South City Square tower in Woolloongabba
CGI of the proposed rooftop space atop of the tower in Stage 5B. Image sourced. 

The tower will be capped by an ellipsoid pergola structure, which will house amenities for hotel residents. The tower crown is set to give the 5B tower a unique identity in the city skyline, while capitalising on solar access and panoramic views to the CBD and Inner Southern Suburbs.

The proposed changes also seek to facilitate improved communal recreation spaces for residents/guests associated with the hotel component of the building. The improved communal open space comprises a revised layout for the rooftop, which will include a pool, seating and barbecue facilities, surrounded in lush, deep planting.

Stages 1 through to 3 are already complete in South City Square, comprising towers 1 South City, New Deshon and The Mews, which include commercial and retail space, as well as residential apartments.

Stage 4A is currently under construction in the mixed-use development, set to feature the central square, with basement levels from 1 to 5 and retail tenancies within the podium.

Also under construction is Stage 4B, which will include retail tenancies, a plaza and a cinema within another podium, sitting below a residential tower planned for Stage 5A, comprising a mix of short-term accommodation and multiple dwelling apartments.

Alison Warters

Alison Warters is a property journalist for Urban, based in Sydney. Alison is especially interested in the evolution of the New Build/Development space, when it comes to design innovation and sustainability.

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