Melbourne developer Goldfields take first step in to Brisbane

The Melbourne-based developer, Goldfields, are expanding in to Brisbane.

Their first project, a joint venture with Icon Development Australia, will be in Milton, the riverside suburb in the inner western ring of the city. They've submitted plans for a 20-level tower designed by Rothelowman at 29-35 Manning Street, a combination of the two lots totalling 3,511 sqm.

Goldfields Chief Executive, Lachlan Thompson, told Urban that the time was right to go in to the Brisbane apartment market.

“As a national property developer, we are constantly looking for areas that offer strong development potential and we were impressed with Milton’s amenity and connectivity to all things lifestyle related," Thompson said.

"We are of the strong opinion that Milton, as a suburb, is on the cusp of significant capital value growth due to limited supply and its proximity to the bustling Park Street retail strip.

The 20-level tower draped in landscaping. Image credit: Rothelowman

Rothelowman say the proposed 131-apartment building is a homage to the vernacular intelligence of the traditional Queensland Home.

"The Queensland Home, with its wide verandahs and eaves, is a perfectly adapted architectural response to the local climate," Rothelowman advised in their plans submitted to the Brisbane City Council.

"Our approach aims to capture the open friendliness of the traditional Queensland Home, a characteristic born of the warmer regions of Australia.

"It is aiming to reflect and acknowledge the semi-outdoor lifestyle, a unique expression of the way people have adapted to their environment."

The apartments are oriented to take advantage of river and city views. Image credit: Rothelowman

Oriented to maximise the eastern aspect and minimise north-west exposure, the building responds directly to its immediate urban context, while also celebrating the views of Brisbane CBD and the Brisbane River.

There will be 14 one-bedroom apartments, 91 two-beds, 16 with a multipurpose room, 18 three-bedroom apartments and eight four-bedders, located across the top two levels.

The tower’s floor plate maximises both the eastern and southern aspect, river and city views from the apartments.

The building will be crowned with Sky Terrace, a generous recreational space for residents featuring a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen and dining area.

The proposed rooftop Sky Terrace. Image credit: Rothelowman

Landscaping is a big feature, with Iris Capital installing vertical greenery on the podium and on the rooftop.  

Thompson says the apartments will appeal to young professional in particular.

"This includes the “three day a week owner occupiers” that split their time between the Sunshine Coast and inner-city Brisbane, but don’t want to compromise on quality or safety, as well as strategic investors," Thompson said.

Goldfields entered the Queensland market four years ago with a $350 million, 1,000 lot master-planned community in Ripley, in Ipswich.

Next the company will be announcing a mixed-use acquisition in East Elimbah that will, in time, deliver over a billion-dollar multi sector development.

"We have been hungry to grow and further diversify our presence here with built-form opportunities within the inner suburbs of Brisbane," Thompson said.

As we continue to build our Queensland portfolio, we are considering a number of development opportunities from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and look forward to making further announcements in the near future.”

Goldfields also have a presence in Sydney, having recently launched The Livingstone, a collection of townhouses in Sydney's affluent Pymble.