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This is independent editorial content written by a PropertyMash Journalist. While we try to ensure all information is as accurate as possible, please double check with the developer or real estate agent directly before making a purchasing decision. The information contained within this article may be incorrect or out of date.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2019: Brisbane 1 has finished construction, with 80% of the apartments sold, and the first residents beginning to move in.
Brisbane 1 is the first stage of a three tower master plan that is located in South Brisbane (4101). Upon completion, this building will be the tallest tower in South Brisbane. Something that sets the design of this building apart from other apartment buildings in South Brisbane is the glass facade, which is somewhat commercial looking in style. This will give every apartment in the building floor to ceiling windows, taking advantage of the amazing views many of the apartments will have.
Sales agent Jason Zhong said the building resembles a commercial tower more than an apartment building. Usually this sort of design might not lend itself to a city like Brisbane, however given the height of the tower and the potential views of the River and CBD, it is likely that this will create a striking effect.
Being part of a large, three tower development means that residents have extensive amenity. There is a large outdoor recreational deck that is located on level three of the shared podium, as well as indoor media rooms and rooftop decks.
It is impossible to talk about this building without mentioning the local area. Buyers who want inner city life with entertainment, dining and shopping will be drawn to South Brisbane. It is potentially Brisbane’s best area for events with venues such as GOMA, QPAC and The Convention Centre. Also, the Grey Street Dining Precinct is among the best in Brisbane. This is a busy area, however, and all of these positive will come with downsides such as noise and traffic.
Overall apartment sizes are smaller, reflecting the inner city location, however the ceiling height at 3m is excellent, and the extra light from the floor to ceiling glass throughout should add a lot of light and make the apartments seem larger. An excellent design compromise in our view.
Given the design of this building, it is likely that it will attract interstate and international investors, as well as local owner-occupiers who want true inner city living in Brisbane within a masterplanned project.
Overall, this development consists of 2 x 30 storey residential towers and 1 x 10 storey residential tower. These towers share basement car parking and a three level podium that has recreational areas for residents as well as retail and street-level activation.
According to Jason Zhong, the sales agent for this project, marketing started in November 2015 and it is expected that construction will begin in August 2016. This is quite a large project, so construction will not be completed until the end of 2018 or early 2019.
Stage One is located on the northern edge of the site, on the corner of Boundary Street and Cordelia Street, and is 30 storeys high. One side of the building faces north-east towards the CBD and the other side faces north-west towards the river. Obviously, the north-western aspect will be affected by sun, particularly considering the facade of the building is entirely glass. The developer has included double-glazed windows on this side of the building to reduce heat from the sunlight. Also, buyers must be aware that the Kurilpa Development area is between Brisbane 1 and the river. It is possible that the buildings built on this site will be up to 14 levels high.
The north-eastern aspect will have relatively uninterrupted views and is unlikely to get built out because the buildings in front of it are the State Library and the Queensland Museum. There is one development that will commence construction soon as seen in the picture below.
There are 233 apartments in Stage One of Brisbane 1. The apartment mix is as follows: 84 x one (1) bedroom units; 101 x two (2) bedroom apartments; 44 x three (3) bedroom apartments and 4 x penthouse configurations.
The one (1) bedroom apartments range from 47m² to 62m² internally. The two (2) bedroom apartments range from 70m² to 112m² internally. The three (3) bedroom apartments range from 103m² to 130m² internally and, finally, the penthouses range from 141m² to 190m² internally. Every apartment in the building has a balcony. These range from 7m² to 71m².
There are a range of different apartment configurations available in this development and we would recommend going in to talk with a sales agent about them. Interestingly, there are several dual key floor plans available for sale. These would appeal to investors or even families with older children.
In terms of car parking, there are a few one (1) bedroom apartments at Brisbane 1 that do not have car parks. However, apart from those, all the other one (1), two (2) and three (3) bedroom apartments have one car park allocated. Some of the three (3) bedroom configurations have two car parks allocated and all of the penthouses have two car parks.
Residents of Brisbane 1 will have access to a range of amenity across all three buildings. The shared podium area is where the majority of this is located. This area is more than 800m² in total and features a large pool, spa and several BBQ areas. There is also a gymnasium for residents. The top level of one of the other towers has an indoor communal area that will have function facilities and media rooms. The rooftop of Stage One has a landscaped area with chairs and a spa. Overall the amenity to residents will be outstanding, which is a significant attraction in a masterplanned project such as this.
The ground floor entrance to each of the stages in Brisbane 1 features a double storey, hotel style lobby that will make for a strong entry statement.
Brisbane 1 is located in South Brisbane, on a triangular block that is bordered by Peel Street, Boundary Street and Cordelia Street. This location is towards the West End border of South Brisbane. As we mentioned above, this is a densely populated, central location that is close to all of the modern conveniences. There is entertainment, shopping, dining, cafes, farmers markets, bars. Public transport and more all within walking distance of Brisbane 1. The downside of this is traffic, noise and general ‘hustle and bustle.’
Brisbane 1 residents will have direct access to Brisbane major entertainment precincts. Within 1km of the building is the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, The Queensland Performing Arts Centre, The Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Museum & Science Centre, Southbank Parklands, Suncorp Stadium and the CBD. On top of this, South Bank, West End and the CBD are home to an assortment of restaurants and cafes, from hidden gems to premier fine dining restaurants. All are within walking distance or a short trip on public transport or Uber.
South Brisbane is a natural extension of the CBD that is connected to the north side of the river by five bridges that allow car, bus, train and pedestrian crossing. There is an abundance of public transport in the local area. Just 550m from Brisbane 1 is the Cultural Centre Busway Station and the South Brisbane Train Station. Between these two transport hubs, most of Brisbane is conveniently accessible. There are regular services running that go to all major areas of the city. Travelling by car to wider Brisbane is also simple. The Go-Between Bridge entrance is 200m from Brisbane 1 and it allows direct access from South Brisbane to the Inner City Bypass, Airport Link, Clem 7 and beyond. A trip from Brisbane 1 to the Brisbane Airport would take just 15 minutes.
There are many educational institutions close to Brisbane 1. It is in the catchment for Brisbane State High School, one of Brisbane’s best public high schools. It is also close to Sommerville House, St Laurence’s, Brisbane Grammar School, All Hallows, University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Queensland College of Arts.
South Brisbane is one of Brisbane’s fastest growing suburbs. Between the 2006 and 2011 Census, the population of South Brisbane increased by 48% to record a total population of 5,420 people. Government predictions show that it will continue to be a high-growth region into the future.
Brisbane 1 has been fitted out with high-quality, modern fixtures and appliances. The one (1) and two (2) bedroom configurations have more economical appointments than the three (3) bedroom and penthouse apartments. This is because the one and two bedroom apartments are more likely to appeal to investors who would prefer more affordable internal fittings. However, there is an option to upgrade to the same level of appointment as the larger apartments. The cost of this varies depending on the size of the apartment, however it is generally between $3,000 and $4,000. Both finishes packages have a choice between light or dark schemes.
The appliances in the more affordable finishes package are Bosch, whilst the premium scheme has Miele appliances. These include dishwasher, cooktop and oven. The living area floors are a laminate that looks like timber in the more affordable apartments, whilst the premium apartments have real timber floorboards.
In the bedrooms, the flooring is a wool carpet blend with underlay in all apartments. The biggest difference between the standard package and premium is the wardrobe. In the more affordable option, the wardrobe is made of mirrored sliding doors, whilst the premium version has laminated timber-look sliding doors – which look pretty great in our view. The master bedroom in the premium scheme also has a storage system built into the wardrobe with drawers and other storage spaces.
The balconies on the penthouse apartments have gas points built in, so that residents can have a BBQ on their deck, which is a valued option for Brisbane residents. Ceilings in all apartments are quite high at 3m. An extra high ceiling is to be expected in the luxury apartments, such as the three (3) bedders and penthouses, but this is somewhat less common for one (1) and two (2) bedroom apartments, so this is a very attractive feature
The fixtures and fittings at Brisbane 1 vary and are a little bit complicated to fully understand. We recommend a trip down to the sales display, which has very good examples of the level of finishes that would be expected in both of the finishes packages. This display shows the difference between the two quite well.
A number of apartments in the building are intended to be sold as investments. The agents at the sales display have detailed information regarding rents and body corporate rates for each apartment type.
In general, one bedroom apartments in the building are expected to achieve a weekly rent between $440 and $605. Body corporate rates for this apartment type range between $3,500 and $3,700.
Two bedroom apartments at Brisbane 1 are expected to achieve a weekly rent between $595 and $750. Body corporate rates for this apartment type are approximately $4,000.
Three bedroom apartments at Brisbane 1 are expected to achieve a weekly rent between $880 and $1,225. Body corporate rates for this apartment type are approximately $4,500.
South Brisbane is currently undergoing a massive period of development. There is a large number of new apartment buildings being built and marketed in this area of Brisbane right now. Each building has its positives and negatives. Some projects that are currently on the market include Atlas, Ivy & Eve, Light & Co and Southpoint.
The developer for this project is R & F Properties. They are a major Chinese developer that was founded in Guangzhou in 1994. The company has been in Australia since 2014 and has offices in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Brisbane 1 will be built by Brookfield Multiplex, who is one of Australia’s largest and most trusted builders.
The sales display is located on-site. It is open 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm. There is plenty of parking available. The car park entrance is located on the Boundary Street side of the site.
Inside the display, you will see a large model of the whole three building master plan, as well as mock-ups of the finishes in each unit type.
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