Here a couple of exciting, new developments to watch out for on James St in Fortitude Valley.
Read: Fortitude Valley Property Market Rises Despite Softer Demand for Inner-City Living
Office & Retail Spaces
At the request of Council, Victoria-based developer Zagame Corporation has submitted a revised plan for the 1,457-sqm site at 72-76 James St which reduced the building height, bulk, and scale, and increased its on-site car parking provision.
The amended plans for the $50-million, mixed-use tower include a landscaped and terraced five-level building, plus a roof terrace. The retail and hospitality tenancies will occupy the ground floor whilst the upper levels will be dedicated for office accommodation.
Informal gathering areas are also part of the plan, as well as publicly accessible City Room with internal laneways which will be connected to the retail tenancies.
Designed by Cavill Architects, it has a contemporary subtropical theme and will incorporate the commercial character building on the corner of James and Harcourt streets.
“This layout will establish a high degree of activation around James Street activity through the outdoor rooms and focuses the activity away from the residential neighbourhood,” the planning documents read.
As part of increasing on-site carparking provisions, there are now 91 car parks and 43 bicycle spaces proposed for the site.
Further details about Zagame’s amended plans can be viewed at Brisbane City Council’s website with the application number A005878178.
Office & Retail Plaza
Just opposite Zagame, another developer has lodged its plans in September 2021 to carry out works for a new retail and commercial building with six storeys, covering a 6,071-sqm gross floor area.
The ground level will have an extensive public plaza and laneways that will occupy 48% of the site area. It will be designated as publicly accessible open space.
The internal public plaza, which will have the same size as the Fish Lane Town Square, will be surrounded by five other internal tenancies including cafes and a restaurant.
To facilitate the development, the existing commercial building onsite will be demolished. A pre-1911 dwelling will also be relocated as part of the proposal. It will provide up to 145 car parking spaces and 50 bicycle parking.
“The proposal at 75-79 James Street, in conjunction with other projects in the precinct, represents an opportunity to revitalise this part of Fortitude Valley with best in-class design outcomes, integration of the commercial character building, provision of car parking to meet the identified demands over and above car parking supply elsewhere in the precinct,” the assessment report stated.
For more details about this development application, see A005834091.