A proposed residential tower could transform the Kangaroo Point skyline, potentially overshadowing the historic Shafston House on Castlebar Street.
Read: Approved: 15-Storey Apartment Tower Next to Heritage-Listed Shafston House
The new proposal represents a substantial increase from a previously approved 15-storey development, pushing the potential building height from 73.6 metres to 117.6 metres—an additional 44 metres that would fundamentally reshape the site’s architectural profile.
Originally, the site’s landowner, Burgundy Group, had received approval in March 2023 for a 15-storey tower. Now, a Hendra-based development group has submitted plans for an even more substantial 28-storey residential tower.
Architectural firm Kerry Hill Architects has designed the new proposed tower, which would include 48 residential units, two river homes, a guesthouse, a private marina, and a new section of public riverwalk.
The development team argues the project represents an opportunity to preserve and maintain the heritage site, with plans to share maintenance costs across property owners and protect existing historical structures.
The Story of Shafston House
In 1851, Reverend Robert Creyke built a simple, single-storey cottage that would become one of Brisbane’s most important historic buildings. What started as a humble home has grown to represent the city’s early colonial history.
The building underwent multiple transformations over the decades, with successive owners adding to and modifying the original structure. Following its time as a private home, it became an Anzac Hostel from 1919 to 1969, then served as Royal Australian Air Force accommodation from 1969 to 1987, before ultimately being redeveloped as Shafston International College in the mid-1990s.
In 2005, Shafston House achieved a milestone when it was formally placed on the Queensland Heritage Register. Today, Shafston House stands as a quiet reminder of Brisbane’s early days, its walls holding memories of a time when the city was just beginning to take shape.
The proposal is currently under review by BCC, with community feedback likely to play a crucial role in the decision-making process. Previous submissions regarding earlier development plans suggest potential local opposition to significant changes at the site.
While the development application for Shafston House does not require formal public notification due to being code assessable, local residents and heritage enthusiasts—including members of the Kangaroo Point and Districts Historical Society—submitted comments and feedback about the first proposed project.
Read: Shafston House Could Be Restored To Its Former Glory As Residential Dwelling
“While I understand there is a severe lack of housing options available, I would hope that the BCC would consider the historic value of the Shaftston House grounds when eventually granting Approval,” one resident wrote.
“There has already been so much colonial history lost in Brisbane. A smaller residential tower and maintenance of the green space of the grounds – as opposed to the riverside homes construction – would surely be appreciated by the city’s constituency.”
As the city continues to evolve, the proposal highlights ongoing tensions between urban development and heritage preservation in Brisbane’s rapidly changing landscape.
Published 21-November-2024
