Toowong’s old Woolies site to become Brisbane’s newest urban village

A new urban renewal development in Brisbane’s inner-west would tower over Toowong and transform the suburb with a mixed-use precinct.

The three-tower complex would include a “Central Plaza” that would host pop-up markets and artistic displays, along with retail tenancies, according to plans lodged with the council.

The now mostly vacant site across the road from Toowong Village and the train station was home to a standalone Woolworths supermarket until 2017.

In an assessment report prepared on behalf of the developers, Toowong Central Investment Holding Pty Ltd, town planning firm Urbis says the three-tower scheme made efficient use of the irregularly shaped block, which fronts onto High Street, Sherwood Road and Jephson Street.

“A specific focus in the design is unlocking and maximising the ground plane for public open space, while co-locating much-needed housing supply with lifestyle amenities to support the growing inner-city population,” Urbis says.

The development would include 1031 units, consisting off 92 short-term serviced apartments, 316 one-bedroom units, 398 two-bedders, 217 three-bedders, and eight four-bedroom units.

It would also include 12,041 square metres of non-residential gross floor area, including the Central Plaza.

“Centrally located within the site as the ‘jewel in the crown’, the design is centred around a large multi-purpose Central Plaza featuring a bespoke flexible-use space including interactive water play,” Urbis says.

“The Central Plaza has been designed as a modular space that can be transformed from an informal open space during the day into a vibrant night market all in the same day.

“In addition to the Central Plaza, the development includes a series of interconnected public spaces throughout the site across all frontages, including the ‘Sherwood Plaza’, ‘High Street Park’, and the ‘Jephson Terrace’.”

All up, the public spaces would total 5485 square metres – 40 per cent of the site.

But it would not be all new buildings – the heritage-listed, 1885-built Carver and Co building, more recently a dry cleaning shop, has also been incorporated in the design.

“The retention and adaptive reuse of the former Carver and Co building provides an opportunity to open the local heritage place to a new audience after more than 70 years since it was converted to a dry cleaning facility,” Urbis says.

“A number of possible uses are identified for the building in this application, which all facilitate activation and broader access and enjoyment of the building than currently available.

“The adaptive reuse also provides opportunities for conservation works to be undertaken as part of the redevelopment, which include the potential paint removal to restore the original face brick or otherwise accommodate an alternative colour scheme.”

Due to the height of the development – more than double the 25 storeys allowed under Brisbane City Council’s Toowong-Auchenflower Neighbourhood Plan – it is considered impact assessable, requiring more scrutiny and invitations for public submissions.

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