Kangaroo Point's iconic Shafston House gets closer to apartment redevelopment
The redevelopment of the landmark Shafston Estate, on over one-hectare of Brisbane River land in Kangaroo Point, looks to be edging closer.
The plans are back with the Brisbane City Council to increase the density of the project, which was given the green light in early 2023.
Developer Burgundy Group had sought to develop a 15-level tower with 37 apartments designed by Rothelowman in 2022, with approval received in March last year.
The latest submission has come from Verso Development Group, an entity directed by Chinese-born Siwen Pan, who is believed to have taken over the 10,070 sqm site at 23 Castlebar Street.
Verso has brought in Kerry Hills Architects (KHA) to revise the plans for the unrepeatable site that is home to the 1851, heritage-listed Shafston House, built by the Reverend Robert Creyke as a single-storey cottage called Ravenscott.
The proposal is for the tower to increase in levels to 25 and the apartments to go from 37 to 51.
"The Shafston Estate provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore one of Brisbane’s finest heritage precincts and to reinstate residential use as a unique site perched on the edge of Kangaroo Point," KHA noted in its Urban Context Report.
"The project will celebrate excellence in sub-tropical residential design, setting a new benchmark for vertical living in Brisbane."
The submission noted the departure point for the project is to celebrate the heritage elements that exist on the site.
"These elements manifest the layers of post-settlement history in Brisbane, and as part of the project they will be carefully and faithfully restored. They will be reinvigorated with uses that are closely associated with their original purposes as domestic and restorative spaces."
Verso was recommendaed by Urbis to provide an independent design review of the proposed changes to the existing code assessed development approval of the Shafston Estate.
Malcolm Middleton Architects produced the review on the former plans, suggesting they
"The proponent of the site has a vision of this unique property that exceeds the code assessed approval and associated design compliance approach," the review read.
"The amended design seeks to deliver a project that will make a significant contribution to the quality of the city residential standards as well as focal point of architectural expression that will create an urban uplift for the site specifically and the city overall."
As well as the new tower, there would be two riverfront homes, and a guest house in the retain Postal Depot Building.
Further changes to the 2023 approval include a new section of riverwalk along the river frontage of the site as public infrastructure, and a six-berth private marina will be constructed on the river out from the riverwalk, in place of the existing pontoon.
