NEWS
SW1 Settlements Adds Life to South Bank
08 September 2008
South Bank, already the social and cultural hub of Brisbane, is gearing up for even more life and vibrancy as new residents move into the newly completed residential apartments at the $350 million SW1.
The first residents will move in as early as this week when settlements start on the 58 apartments in the first residential stage of SW1, one of Brisbane's most successful mixed-use projects.
The settlements follow the $29 million sell-out of apartment buildings Eden and Dos, designed by award-winning architectural firms JMA and Haysom Architects, respectively.
The entire SW1 precinct comprises two residential buildings, 38 terrace houses, along with four commercial towers with retail nodes, linked by a pedestrian spine. The remaining final stage of SW1 is 38 terrace houses, which will be launched to the market early next year.
Austcorp Group Limited and Property Solutions Group are jointly developing SW1 on a 1.8 hectare site between Melbourne and Russell streets, adjacent to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Austcorp Queensland Built Form manager Alison Quinn said the settlement of apartments was another step forward in the development of SW1.
"Apartments in SW1 have been highly sought-after as evidenced by the sales success before they were even completed," she said.
"With the welcomed arrival of permanent residents and tenants, SW1 will fast become the vibrant cosmopolitan precinct we envisaged."
"SW1 residents have restaurants, cafes, boutiques, retail outlets and commercial suites literally on their doorstep, and then they have easy access to the entertainment and leisure benefits of the South Bank Parklands near by."
Ms Quinn said the majority of buyers have been Brisbane investors who were quick to realise the attractive lifestyle SW1 presents.
JMA architect Garth Hollindale was one of the first to buy in SW1, with a ground-level, one bedroom apartment in Eden.
"I saw the apartment as a good long term investment, being only 750 metres from the Brisbane CBD and so close to public transport," he said.
"SW1 has all the fringe benefits of living in the city, with the added diversity and cultural benefits offered at South Bank and West End."
Mr Hollindale was the project architect on Eden, working alongside interior designer Francene O'Connor and one of Australia's most influential residential architects, JMA's principal director, John Mainwaring.
"The apartment's north easterly aspect facing the internalised pedestrian spine is definitely the unit's greatest asset, but obviously I was always going to be confident in the quality of the design and qualities of space that would be achieved," Mr Hollindale said.
"The fundamental principle behind the building's design is the provision of a central 'urban breezeway', which provides the units with excellent cross ventilation – something that is typically lacking from multi-residential buildings of this type in South East Queensland.
"The naturally generated breeze and access to natural light really appealed to me, along with the added convenience of being able to pop next door for a coffee at one of the two cafes."
Read more about Austcorp's SW1.Go to the SW1 website at www.sw1.com.au.
