First look: Billionaire John Van Lieshout continues residential development push with new Hope Island townhouse project
Super A-Mart billionaire John Van Lieshout's property development firm, Unison Projects, has continued to bolsters its development pipeline.
After busy 2023 filing development applications in Brisbane's inner ring, they've just submitted plans for their recently acquired prime site on Hope Island.
The acquisition of the prime prime 9,212 sqm block came during Unison's purchasing spree of residential development sites across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. They secured Lot 102 Santa Monica Boulevard, at the private end of the Boulevard backing onto The Pines Golf Course and a short walk to the Hope Island Shopping Centre and the Hope Island Marina.
They're planning Santa Monica Residences, 42 two-level, four-bedroom townhouses, with three different floor plans and three different external designs. They will be spread across five different buildings.
Each townhouse will have a multi-purpose room, a garden, and a two-car garage. There will be a swimming pool, spa, fire pit, and pool house with barbecue and alfresco space to serve the residents.
Local architecture firm BDA called the project a "contemporary medium density residential cluster in the heart of the Hope Island community."
"The proposal offers in a new destination in residential living for the local coastal community," BDA stated in the Architectural Design Intent.
"The proposed townhomes will enhance and support the existing community by broadening the range of housing options for new and existing residents. A timeless architectural style, supported by a lush native landscape will create a sense of place and location, and help build a vibrant community, and a great environment to call home."
They said the proposal has been designed to have a bespoke coastal character, where the expression and form of the buildings work together.
"The dwellings are designed to provide a range of home types and façade treatments that provide a cohesive design yet form an individual character within the private enclave."
2023 has been a big year for Unison.
In April they filed plans for a three-tiered tower, which peaks at 18 levels. Designed by Rothelowman, the tower on Mollison Street will comprises 101 apartments above a podium, a gym with outdoor space and a wellness lawn and a cold plunge and magnesium spa. The level above will feature a lap pool and pool deck, and a lounge and dining space.
The tower submission came just a few days after they filed for a very different project in Herston where they're set for a more boutique 38-apartment development designed by Ellivo Architects.
They also have 1.3-hectares in Labrador on the Gold Coast which they're still in the planning phase of, as well as two adjoining 3,004 sqm sites in Birtinya which now have development applications.
Also in their pipeline is the Newstead Federal Boot Factory, which was bought for $5.7 million in 2020. Unison amended the Joe Adsett plans that came with the sale, calling on Ellivo Architects to amend the density down from 52 apartments to 41.
Unison now have a pipeline of well over 430 apartments and townhouses with an end value in excess of $450 million.
