First look exclusive: Shayher Group file for first stage of Bulimba Barracks
Brisbane developer Shayher Group has revealed the first stage of its highly anticipated Bulimba Barracks masterplan.
Shayher secured the Bulimba Barracks in 2020, buying it from the Department of Defence who had owned it since 2015 when the Commonwealth government disposed of the site as a defence asset.
Since 2020 the majority of the buildings that were part of the barracks from World War II to the 1980s have been demolished. The only building that has been retained is the fabrication workshop which was a barge building shop in World War II.
That will form one of three buildings for the first stage of the redevelopment of the 20.73-hectare site. Shayher is first focusing on a 6,382 sqm block fronting Apollo Road in the northwest corner of the site. They're planning two low-rise apartment buildings with 69 apartments, separated by a laneway from the fabrication workshop which will be restored.
The fabrication workshop will home a display suite during the market and construction phase of the development, before being converted into a food and beverage hospitality venue with a cafe and outdoor dining next to the Brisbane River.
Shayher had Buchan Group put together the plans for the two three-level buildings. While not having to bow to strict heritage rules given the former factories on the block had been torn down, there was the consciousness that the buildings be located, designed and constructed to reflect the footprint, overall bulk, and scale of the WWII buildings.
The 69 apartments will be split across two buildings that will be divided by a central community garden, complete with a 13-metre resident swimming pool, activities lawn, sauna, outdoor dining cabana and cabana lounges. Each building will have a rooftop garden with golf-putting greens and open lawn spaces for yoga and lawn bowls. One rooftop will have a reduced-size pickleball court.
There will be 10 one-bedroom apartments on offer, 38 two-beds and 21 three-bedroom units. They will sit above 180 basement parking spaces.
Buchan Group said in their Urban Context Report the Bulimba Barracks represents an eastern gateway to the river’s edge and symbolises the continuing evolution of Brisbane’s inner city.
"The intent is to start creating a new neighbourhood as envisioned in the Masterplan approved in 2022, which seamlessly integrates with adjoining neighbourhoods and surrounding residential areas providing new opportunities for connectivity and access to the riverfront," the architecture firm said.
They said the development offers an exciting opportunity for the renewal of an underutilised site and activation to the surrounding area.
"The focus for the development will be on providing a new offering to the local area. The fabrication workshop will be retained and adapted to create a new community heart that will provide a strong visual identity for the neighbourhood and new neighbourhood centre."
Development of the site is set to occur over the next five to 10 years, broadly following the masterplan layout in the Bulimba District Neighbourhood Plan.
Shayher has experience delivering multi-stage developments in Brisbane. They've previously created the $1 billion mixed-use precinct, Brisbane Quarter on George Street. That features three towers, a mix of residential and commercial next door to Brisbane Square and behind Brisbane City Hall.
