June 16 2010
Laing O’Rourke has gained Brisbane City Council approval to develop a 20-level residential tower above a retail ground floor as part of its $250 million mixed-use McLachlan & Ann (M&A) project in Fortitude Valley.
M&A will be located on a high-profile site bounded by Ann, McLachlan and Connor Streets and will comprise leading-edge residential, retail and commercial components in one location.
Approval for the residential component of the development follows council approval of its 12-storey, A-grade commercial building, granted late last year.
The first residential tower will comprise 234 apartments and is located adjacent to the James Street retail precinct, close to public transport, including the Brunswick Street train station and a City Glider bus stop.
Laing O’Rourke General Manager (Development) Murray Middleton said award-winning Queensland architects Fairweather Proberts had designed the residential offering with a strong focus on liveable, subtropical design.
“Fairweather Proberts’ modern, architecture will deliver carefully planned urban apartments offering a diverse range of layouts to suit a variety of lifestyles– and all residents will have exclusive use of a central recreation deck featuring parkland, pool and outdoor entertaining space,” Mr Middleton said.
“While confidence has returned locally, buying an apartment is a significant lifestyle and investment decision in any market.
"Laing O’Rourke has employed its trademark measured approach to ensure M&A will deliver unique modern apartments at very affordable prices for both investors and owner-occupiers.”
One-bedroom apartments will start from $345,000 while two-bedroom apartments will commence from $485,000. All apartments will come with at least one underground car space.
Mr Middleton said with council approval now gained, the project team was gearing up for public release in late July.
“This project will be the first major mixed-use development in Fortitude Valley to be delivered under the local Neighbourhood Plan. It has been designed to complement its surrounds and will further drive urban renewal in the area, he said.
Laing O’Rourke is a privately-owned development and construction company with a reputation for quality, design integrity and surety of delivery.
