Our cities are changing. We are experiencing one of the biggest shake-ups to Australia’s housing landscape since the 1970s, with promising new developments underway across the country in a bid to ease the nation’s ongoing housing shortage.
Many developers with longstanding records of success are offering Australians high-quality, customised dwellings that are challenging preconceived notions of ‘off-the-plan’ living. It’s a necessary step in reaching the National Housing Accord target of building 1.2 million well-located homes over the next five years.
“Encouraging more apartment development is absolutely critical in reaching the government’s housing target,” explained PropTrack economist, Anne Flaherty.
“From a buyer’s perspective, there’s a lot of reason to be optimistic about the future performance of apartments. We know that the population is growing rapidly, we know that apartments have seen a sharp slowdown in development activity, so that would suggest that we might see the apartment market outperform over the next decade.”
It’s currently tough for new construction, with ABS data showing building approvals are at decade lows. However, there’s buzz around projects from proven developers with vision – those who submit plans that will positively impact the way Australians live and connect.
Brisbane and its subtropical cosmopolitan lifestyle is leading the charge with some of the country’s most exciting new apartments in the pipeline – including Australia’s greenest building.
These builds will have standout features including architectural flair, luxury lifestyle amenities, integrated services to create village-style communities, biophilic and sustainable design, parklands, stunning landscaping and more.
“It’s all about doing your homework – there are a lot of beautiful, premium apartments,” said Ms Flaherty.
Here are nine of Brisbane’s best new off-the-plan apartment developments.
1. Arc Residences, Toowong
Set on the banks of the Brisbane River, the striking Arc Residences from boutique developer Spyre commands 180-degree views from St Lucia to South Brisbane.
True to its name, the architecture of the Arc exterior features a stunning undercroft, organic curvature and undulating shapes. Designed by the award-winning Bureau Proberts, the interiors of the 27 oversized three- and four-bedroom apartments are kitted out in serene neutral tones with premium fixtures and finishes including marble, bronze tap-ware and fluted joinery.
There is private lift access to each apartment, with every residence enjoying uninterrupted views, multiple living areas, dedicated study/office zones, fully ensuite bedrooms and considered design to maximise light and air flow, including generous outdoor spaces. Of course, there is an exclusive rooftop residential amenity with never-to-be-built-out views. Currently more than 70% sold, construction by GRAYA is due to complete in 2026.
2. Monarch Residences, Toowong
Consolidated Properties Group’s Monarch Residences promise a unique riverside community and ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ transformation of the site. The project will integrate leisure zones, bike paths and a riverside park on its grounds, and house the addition of a green bridge that connects the property across the river to the buzz of the West End. Plans also protect a 150-year-old heritage home, Middenbury House, which will be revitalised and opened to the public as a restaurant and cafe.
The site offers an impressive 130 metres of north-facing river frontage with each of its 224 apartments designed to maximise beautiful river and city views. Spanning one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments and penthouses, the dwellings are curated over two 15-storey towers called River 1 and River 2, with architecture inspired by the iconic Queenslander.
Resident amenities are a stand out: a rooftop oasis complete with heated infinity pool, exclusive private dining area, relaxed lounge or work-from-home space, a sauna, ‘Winter Den’, and numerous private seating areas with BBQ facilities. Construction is due for completion late 2025.
3. Gaia, Kangaroo Point
Pikos Group are busy this year with their project Gaia, which has been redesigned to feature Brisbane’s largest private riverside parkland alongside more than 20 nature and leisure zones. The aim is to create a riverside sanctuary for residents.
The 215 dwellings will be housed across two 15-level towers between the Brisbane River and Lambert and O’Connell Streets, offering two- and three-bedroom apartments. Architects DKO and Julie Williamson Design will deliver a premium product, with construction due for completion in 2026.
Pikos are also continuing construction work on their $300 million project, Skye by Pikos, on the Kangaroo Cliffs.
4. River House, Kangaroo Point
Fortis are behind River House, the 15-level tower on prime O’Connell Street with 14 luxuriously appointed full-floor apartments. Crafted by Plus Architecture and interiors firm Mim Design and enjoying uninterrupted east-to-west riverfront views, each three-bedroom dwelling will span a generous 260sqm of internal space with a further 40sqm of river-facing balcony, capturing vistas from Bulimba to the Story Bridge and Brisbane City.
This is, of course, excluding the penthouse, which adds a private rooftop terrace and swimming pool to its bill. However, all residents enjoy amenities including a gym with sauna, riverfront pool and a grassed lawn, plus a pontoon with private mooring. Construction is set for completion mid 2026.
5. Teneriffe Banks, Teneriffe
Award-winning Kokoda Property have revealed their $1.5 billion Teneriffe Skyring Terrace precinct – Teneriffe Banks – a vibrant mixed-use property set to be Brisbane’s largest private development.
The site will house over 200 residences across five unique buildings: The Interloom (North and South), The Ferry Building, The Store Houses (North and South) and within them, The Woven Lofts. Designed by Cottee Parker Architects and Carr, properties range from luxury apartments to modern penthouse residences and striking woolstore-inspired lofts. Set among lush gardens, there’s an extended riverwalk and laneways throughout with bustling, open public spaces, including a public marina.
The Interloom North will welcome Brisbane’s first Kimpton Hotel, while the Interloom South will comprise a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom luxury apartments and penthouses with resort-style amenities. The Ferry Building will feature modernist homes with woolstore character. On Skyring Terrace, The Store Houses North and South are where you’ll find contemporary industrial-style warehouse residences, The Woven Lofts. Construction is yet to commence.
6. Callista on Park, West Village, West End
Sekisui House Australia’s $1.1 billion master crafted precinct, West Village, has won more than 50 awards in three years. The character-filled West End redevelopment of the Peter’s Ice Cream Factory site is embarking on its final stage with Callista on Park. After the highly successful Allere Collection (of which the last few opportunities are currently selling), Callista on Park’s similarly refined offering fronts Mollison Park with a north-east aspect – your last chance to claim a stake in this thriving community.
The fjmtstudio-designed residential tower will comprise 74 apartments of three- and four-bedroom layouts. Atop the property sits a roof terrace brimming with a series of lush gardens inclusive of break out spaces, an infinity pool and wellness area. It’s all topped off with an open-air conservatory housing kitchens and dining options with sweeping views. On ground level, a new childcare centre completes the offering.
7. Bank and Mollison, West End
Super A-Mart billionaire John Van Lieshout’s property development firm, Unison Projects, has plans for a staggered three-structured residential tower neighbouring Sekisui’s award-winning West Village, known as Bank and Mollison. They’ve cleverly engaged Rothelowman – the same firm behind West Village – resulting in a biophilic design utilising green latticing and landscaping throughout the tower facades.
Bank and Mollison will home 101 apartments, which will use the natural environment to create privacy, with landscaping inspired by Brisbane’s subtropical environment. There’s a gym on level 11, which opens onto an outdoor gym and wellness lawn (including a cold plunge and magnesium spa), while level 12 boasts a lap pool and deck, lounge and dining space.
The homes sit above an inverted podium, below which aims to house retail, commercial and community-serving business. Separate food outlets and a resident’s work-from-home space is also in the works.
8. Urban Forest, South Brisbane
Brisbane’s most exciting development is from sustainability-focused Aria Property Group, hoping to commence construction early 2025. Urban Forest in South Brisbane promises to be “one of the world’s greenest residential buildings” with a green plot ratio of 200%. Acting itself as a piece of large-scale public art, Urban Forest aims to set a new benchmark for innovative subtropical design in Australia and the world.
The plans by renowned Koichi Takada Architects include 321 one- to five-bedroom apartments in a 30-level tower with cascading greenery. The soaring ground level will provide a ground floor public 24-hour subtropical forest area that is essentially a mini Botanic Gardens for South Brisbane. The rooftop space is another thing altogether. Combined with the private terraces in each dwelling, residents here will enjoy access to a greater portion of open space than any other apartment development in Australia.
The sculptural, undulating rooftop structure is weaved with lush vegetation, providing Brisbane’s skyline a unique subtropical crown. The recreational space includes a 50-metre infinity pool and a number of spas, cabanas and day beds, yoga spaces, meditation pods, and barbecue and alfresco areas. Plus spectacular views in all directions.
Other notable sustainability features include 13 shared EV cars for resident use; apartments with passive design principles like breezeways, glazing and natural ventilation; a mounted solar farm that will generate renewable energy to reduce the building’s ongoing and peak power demand; a pioneering three-garbage shoot system for all levels for household refuse, recycling and garden waste, and more.
9. Murcia, East Brisbane
Another development offering buyers something different is Sarazin’s Murcia in East Brisbane. Inspired by the Spanish orchard city of Murcia, the project showcases a relaxed Mediterranean style with ample outdoor space and standout wellness amenities so residents can live ‘la buena vida’.
Murcia residences will provide a collection of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, all designed to offer spacious, open-plan living. The HAL Architect-designed tower features deep balconies and a slew of outdoor amenities for a year-round alfresco lifestyle. The rooftop, for example, includes an infinity pool, private poolside cabanas and sun loungers. There is also a wellness area with cold and warm magnesium plunge pools, sauna, steam room and outdoor showers, as well as alfresco private dining and barbecue facilities.
The Woolloongabba location benefits from spectacular views and proximity to the South City Square and its planned upgrades for the 2032 Olympic Games. Murcia is also a 500-metre walk away from the new Cross River Rail Station (due early 2025). Construction on Murcia is set for completion by mid 2026.
Author: Realestate.com