Dibcorp set to redevelop former Spring Hill Hotel into apartment development

Dibcorp, led by founder Franco Di Bartolomeo, are seeking to redevelop the Spring Hill Hotel at 100 Leichhardt Street into an 18-level mixed-use tower with 126 apartments above commercial and retail spaces
Dibcorp set to redevelop former Spring Hill Hotel into apartment development
Alison Warters September 28, 2023PLANNING ALERT

Brisbane developer Dibcorp, who are putting the finishing touches to their popular Newstead apartment development Bide, have their eyes set on their next project.

Dibcorp, led by founder Franco Di Bartolomeo, are seeking to redevelop the Spring Hill Hotel at 100 Leichhardt Street into an 18-level mixed-use tower with 126 apartments above commercial and retail spaces.

DKO have put together the plans which will see the Spring Hill Hotel, which has seen better days and was on the brink of disrepair, undergo restoration while integrating it as an integral part of a contemporary residential tower.

DKO said in their submission to the Brisbane City Council the main design focus is to strike an appropriate scale for the site, situated on the border of the CBD, effectively mediating between the height and density of the city and the Spring Hill neighborhood. The project also aims to ensure that the Spring Hill Hotel's historical significance is not only preserved but celebrated.

"The heritage façade is proposed to be retained along with its use as a hospitality venue," the design team said.

"Internally, layouts are intended to be reinstated as much as possible, combining structural rework and contemporary redesign to allow for a modern hospitality venue."

The tower is set to comprise 126 apartments, with a mix of two and three-bedroom floorplans. The ground floor will feature commercial and retail spaces, including options for hospitality establishments, ensuring the site remains a vibrant and inviting place for the community to engage with.

Two distinct communal areas are proposed within the project. One sits on the roof level of the hotel, offering recreational decks and expansive landscapes. Flexible rooms will cater to wellness and co-working needs during the day, transforming into leasable social spaces after hours. The rooftop communal area takes full advantage of the site's views, providing spaces for relaxation and community interaction.

To accommodate residents and visitors, the project includes 158 bicycle parking spaces and 158 car parking spaces across six levels. These options are in addition to the robust public transportation infrastructure already available in Spring Hill.

The proposal not only promises to revitalise a historic landmark but also contributes to the transition of building height from Spring Hill into the City Centre Expansion area, ensuring a seamless blend of old and new in this prime inner-city location.

Dibcorp are near completion of their Newstead project Bide at 29 Longland Street, a collection of 89 apartments which were designed with a focus on wellbeing and liveability. The project features a 600 sqm lush garden, known as Bide Gardens, which will home private cabanas and barbecue facilities, designed as a place to relax and unwind for residents as well as an additional space within the project where buyers can work-from-home.  

Alison Warters

Alison Warters is a property journalist for Urban, based in Sydney. Alison is especially interested in the evolution of the New Build/Development space, when it comes to design innovation and sustainability.

Editor's Picks

Kangaroo Point's iconic Shafston House gets closer to apartment redevelopment
Inside Australia 108: The groundbreaking Melbourne apartment tower offering the highest apartments in the southern hemisphere
Discover Avery: A Boutique Sanctuary in the Heart of Glen Iris [Video]
"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity": Don O'Rorke discusses the Monarch Residences Penthouse Collection
Why apartments at Killarney Ponds in Box Hill are suiting the family buyer: Urban Buyer Q&A