First look: Brisbane's Paddington set for rare off the plan apartment development
A striking bureau^proberts-designed development in Brisbane's Paddington is set to test the height limits in the affluent suburb near Suncorp.
The small-scale development at 298 Given Terrace is seeking to push the neighbourhood plan limit by one level, having made amends to the designs following a prelodgement council meeting back in late 2021.
The meeting minutes from a meeting held in late December stated the four-level, 12.5-metre proposal exceeds the acceptable outcome for building height in the neighbourhood plan, which is two levels and 9.5 metres.
The argument however is that the current building on the site, a small block of flats which has been owned by local Dr Peter Steadman since 2005, is four levels. Bureau^proberts have designed the building to present as a two-level building when viewed from Given Terrace.
"The design responds sympathetically to the streetscape by creating a transition in height from taller nearby apartment buildings to the cottage style residential pocket of Paddington," bureau^proberts noted in their Urban Context Report.
"The development's height and scale has been carefully considered to maintain the hillside character, whilst generous amounts of landscaping have been incorporated on all edges of the site to soften the built form and contribute to the streetscape and suburban backyard."
The project has been dubbed Ti-Tree, which was the name for the thriving community of Paddington in the 1850’s, where it was then known by the early settlers as the "Ti- Tree Flats" where residents farmed and cut timber.
There are five apartments planned across the three-level building, four half-floor apartments and a whole floor penthouse across the third level.
"298 Given Terrace presents a collection of five boutique flats that continue the narrative of nurturing landscape in a residential enclave within the area," bureau^proberts wrote.
"Elevated on the hillside, the proposal utilises high quality design, landscape and generous amenities to create a contextual response that positively contributes to the streetscape and wider neighbourhood framework."
They said the architecture of Ti-Tree builds on the suburban character intrinsic to Paddington’s unique identity.
"Traditional design elements such as, hipped roof forms, screened verandas, feature external entry stairs and landscaped courtyards are re-conceptualised to harmonise heritage with modern day living requirements.
"A singular built form is raised and folded around a landscape base transcending down the hillside to mimic the steep topography and create a cohesive relationship between the building and its natural environment."
Each of the ground floor apartments have three bedrooms, a media room, a study, a kitchen with butler's pantry, and a rear balcony. They each have over 250 sqm of internal space, and a plunge pool.
The two apartments above have a similar floorplan, with front and rear balconies, while the full floor penthouse, spanning 434 sqm of internal space and a further 238 sqm of outdoor terraces, has four bedrooms, a media room, study, a gallery in the open plan kitchen living and dining space, and a cellar. A pool and a lawn feature in the outdoor area.
"Each residence has been designed with an open plan focus," bureau^proberts added.
"Living and bedroom areas open to maximise views and connect to the outdoors. Dual layered facades employ full height glazing and screening to capture natural light and prevailing breezes whilst prioritising privacy and solar protection."
