First look: Billionaire's Unison Projects lodge plans for subtropical Rothelowman apartment tower in West End

Billionaire John Van Lieshout is putting down a marker on Brisbane's residential real estate market.

His development firm, Unison Projects, has just lodged plans for two very different apartment developments. One is for a boutique project on a recently acquired site in Herston, the other a striking Rothelowman-designed tower in the heart of West End.

The West End tower, dubbed Bank & Mollison due to its prime 2,074 sqm amalgamated site straddling Mollison and Bank streets, sits next to Sekisui Australia's award-winning West Village.

Rothelowman, who also designed the towers in West Village, have taken into consideration the future towers in West Village when designing Banks & Mollison.

They've cleverly staggered the three-structured tower. Its 18-level peak notions toward West Village, and descends toward Bank Street to the smaller 14 level and 10 level buildings.

"The tower is a clearly designed collection of distinct towerettes linked by a green lattice, entwined with landscape," Rothelowman wrote in their design statement submitted to the Brisbane City Council.

They said each facade of the building takes a different approach to capturing its natural assets, protecting from the harsh elements of the environment and ensuring privacy between their urban neighbours.

The apartments will sits atop an inverted podium which will home a tenancy which could suit retail, commercial, or community use. A separate food an drink outlet is also planned, along with a landscaped foyer entrance to the building and extensive work from home space for residents.

"The lowest level of apartments has been lifted to create a voluminous subtropical, light filled parkland for the public", Rothelowman added.

There's a gym on level 11, which spills onto an outdoor gym and wellness lawn, complete with a cold plunge and magnesium spa. Level 12 will home a lap pool and pool deck, and a lounge and dining space.

There will be 101 apartments in the development, designed to target the owner-occupier. The majority of units have three-bedrooms (76). There are 24 two-bedroom units, and a single four-bedroom penthouse.

Rothelowman said Bank and Mollison presents an opportunity to create place, place based on need, and a vision for the potential future of our subtropical city.

"It seeks to be aspirational and progressive in its attitude towards community, inclusivity and generosity whilst seeking influence from the rich, layered and diverse history of the suburb in which it is situated.

"The project examines the challenges of rapid transformation and urbanisation whilst seeking to maintain the “casual suburbaness” that typifies the culture of living in Brisbane."

Planning consultants Mewing said the proposal showcases a high quality architectural and landscape design outcome, which provides an exemplar subtropical design response that celebrates Brisbane’s climate and lifestyle.

"The design concept pursues a high quality architecturally designed and landscaped outcome over the site, to establish a public benefit for the locality, together with creating a very liveable and sub-tropical design exemplar.

"The proposed development responds to and addresses the site and contextual characteristics, together with all relevant planning, design and technical provisions of the planning framework, to create a positive and suitably balanced development outcome."

Mewing said South Brisbane and West End have observed a notable gentrification and evolution over the recent decades, creating a weaving of old and new local stories.

They note however that many of the outcomes are done in isolation.

"There are, by comparison, some infill sites that provide the ability to reflect upon the evolution and stitch together the fabric that has evolved. The subject site at Mollison Street and Bank Street, West End is one of those valuable infill opportunities to be pursued."

Unison secured the 2074 sqm corner site in late 2021 for $7.4 million.

It was a big 2021 for Unison. They also spent $8.2 million on a 5,623 sqm site on Fleming Road in Herston and $9.4 million on a seven-lot amalgamation, some 1.3 hectares, in Labrador on the Gold Coast. In 2021 Unison also contracted from Stockland 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 over 430 apartments with an end value in excess of $450 million.

Earlier this week Unison lodge plans for their recently acquired Herston project, a boutique 38-apartment block designed by Ellivo Architects.

To read more about their Herston project, click here.