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Architectus’ tower kick starts Fortitude Valley transformation

Architectus’ tower kick starts Fortitude Valley transformation

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Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is set to welcome a new retail, residential and commercial precinct with the approval of a new commercial tower next to the Fortitude Valley train station, designed by architecture firm Architectus.

The 23-storey tower is the first stage in a $500 million transformation of the station precinct, which includes the creation of a master planned residential, retail and business hub.

The aim is to create a light, airy destination, with family styled entertainment and new retail tenancies.

Architect Colin Odbert, of Architectus, says the new commercial tower will contribute significantly to the neighbourhood in terms of renewal and the broader public realm.

fortitude valley

“The Fortitude Valley precinct has been undergoing a period of significant urban regeneration, and the commercial building will respect the heritage value of the area while incorporating subtropical themes such as cool, shaded spaces, sky gardens and covered lanes,” he says.

“This project presents an enormous opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the ongoing renaissance of Fortitude Valley, bringing to life one of the main entry points to the Valley Metro and connecting the site to the rest of the precinct,” says Elizabeth Watson Brown, director of Architectus.

“As the Valley continues to be a hub to socialise, work and explore, the Valley Metro site will grow with it. This tower is just the first instalment in a master plan that offers enormous scope to lift the quality of the precinct and establish a powerful urban identity, building on the history of the area in a way that welcomes and excites residents and visitors,” she says.

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The renewal is expected to be particularly welcomed by the 15,000 rail commuters who pass through the precinct each weekday, with the tower delivering a dedicated pedestrian entry to the site.

The existing multilevel commercial car park will be retained but commuters will no longer need to walk through it to access the station.

“The Fortitude Valley station is the gateway to the Valley for thousands of commuters a day, but the precinct around the station is in desperate need of renewal,” says Ian Mackie, international director of LaSalle Investment Management, the investment managers behind the build.

LaSalle Investment Management is also planning the development of a 30-storey apartment tower featuring 207 apartments and a dramatic refurbishment of the Valley Metro retail centre.

Renders courtesy Architectus.

Read more about Architectus’ work on towers – the practice’s managing director, Ray Brown, discusses sustainable skyscrapers here.

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