Brisbane City Council has this week approved the $450 million Toowong Town Centre, an exciting new mixed-use precinct for Brisbane’s West, being developed by State Development Corporation in partnership with White & Partners Sydney.
Nestled in the heart of Toowong, the project — to be known as The Aviary — is set to change Brisbane’s western suburbs, offering a completely new urban community precinct including residential, retail, hospitality, office spaces, shared outdoor spaces and an entirely new streetscape that is set to become a thriving lifestyle destination for the area.
Despite the Toowong area considered prime real estate for its proximity to the Brisbane River and CBD and the leafy western suburbs, it has been significantly underdeveloped for the past 20 years — with The Aviary site in particular remaining untouched for more than half a century. Toowong is the only suburb outside of the Brisbane CBD that can offer all forms of public transport — city cat, train, bus — beside a Regional Shopping Centre — Toowong Village. The Aviary at Toowong will add further amenity to this area and enhance the liveability of this inner western corridor.
Nestled in the heard of Toowong, the project — to be known as The Aviary in Toowong
The mixed-use precinct located at the corner of High Street and Sherwood Road responds to increasing demand from Brisbane businesses seeking a suburban presence away from the CBD, without compromising on access to services and amenities — a shift in working arrangements that has only been heightened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Development Corporation Managing Director Ross McKinnon said the project aligns with office tenants’ changing needs and complements current trends in urban planning that are helping reshape Brisbane’s suburbs.
“The significant growth of mixed-used developments is a result of community demand for self-sufficient hubs based on walkability and convenience,” he said.
“If businesses have learned anything from COVID-19, it’s that we don’t all have to be working in the city to maximise productivity. While it’s still early days, we expect to see more office users make the shift to central hubs like The Aviary for the lifestyle benefits, where everything you need is at your fingertips and you don’t have to travel into the CBD.
The precinct has been designed by award-winning Brisbane architecture firm Nettleton Tribe will offer a completely new urban community
“We see The Aviary as a one in 50-year opportunity to revive community amenity in Toowong, bringing enhanced liveability to Brisbane’s western suburbs for a generation. This will be the fifth project State Development Corporation has undertaken in the inner western suburbs, demonstrating our commitment to this close city precinct.”
The reimagined Toowong Town Centre is the latest development to continue the rise of integrated and mixed-used precincts outside of city centres, with many helping revitalise suburbs and create sustainable communities through a diverse mix of retail, lifestyle, entertainment and leisure facilities.
Due to an ever-increasing population in inner-city suburbs, a decrease in car ownership, and a desire for enhanced focus on health and wellness, community hubs are placing more focus on pedestrians, walkability and green spaces — providing these areas with a sense of identity and community.
Once completed, the 9,000m2 site will offer 150 residential apartments, approximately 30 retail shops and a large office tower, as well as a fresh food market, an elevated outdoor dining precinct, cinemas, and services such as a fitness/wellness centre, medical centre and childcare facilities.
Dan White, Partner at White & Partners, said he is proud to partner with State Development Corporation to bring The Aviary to such an iconic Brisbane suburb.
“This will be the third project we have undertaken in partnership with State Development Corporation in Toowong. We have always believed that Toowong offers both businesses and consumers fantastic amenities and a great location, and so we are excited by the opportunity we have with The Aviary to create a vibrant and diverse precinct,” he said.
“As a family business founded in Queensland, we are proud to be a part of a project that will create great local job and business opportunities and contribute to the continued growth of the Queensland economy.”
Construction on The Aviary is expected to commence in 2021 and be completed in 2023. The development is also expected to boost the south-east Queensland economy by creating 400 local jobs.
The precinct has been designed by award-winning Brisbane architecture firm Nettleton Tribe, known for major urban planning projects including Brisbane’s recently developed Montague Markets at West End.
The development will also see upgrades to High Street with the creation of a dedicated bus lane along the site’s frontage for the busy Toowong bus stop and road improvements will be made at the corner of Jephson Street and Sherwood Road. The upgrades will significantly improve traffic flow in the area and will ensure the long-term growth of Toowong.
