A Water Street site in Fortitude Valley could be transformed into a 15-storey mixed-use development combining new apartments, ground-level retail space, rooftop amenities and restored early twentieth-century buildings.
Water Street Site Set for Mixed-use Vision
A 15-storey mixed-use development has been proposed for 290 Water Street in Fortitude Valley, bringing together residential apartments, commercial and retail space, rooftop amenities and heritage retention in one inner-city plan.
The proposal centres on a residential-led tower with 132 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. At ground level, 518sqm of commercial and retail space is planned, with listed uses including shop, office, food and drink outlet, health care service, short-term accommodation and multiple dwelling.
The development application covers building work and a material change of use. It is listed as an in-progress application under A007032914, after being submitted on 27 May 2026 and marked as properly made on 3 June 2026. The project remains at application stage and has not been approved.
Keylin Land Holdings No.18 Pty Ltd is listed as the applicant, with Mewing Planning Consultants Pty Ltd listed as consultant.
Apartments And Rooftop Amenities in Fortitude Valley
The proposed Fortitude Valley development is designed around apartment living in an inner-city location near Spring Hill, the Brisbane CBD, Exhibition train station and precincts connected with the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
The apartment mix includes one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts, with the lower levels planned for flexible commercial and retail uses. The combination would place housing above street-level activity, while keeping the site residential-led.
Resident-only rooftop amenities are a major feature of the proposal. Planned facilities include a pool, spa, gym, sauna, infrared sauna, yoga area, outdoor barbecue and entertainment space, private dining area and library.
Heritage Buildings Retained in Water Street Design
The development has been designed by Jackson Teece, with a contemporary tower positioned behind a landscaped podium.
The proposal includes the retention and restoration of early twentieth-century commercial buildings associated with Henry Roberts and the Brunswick Home Furnishers business. This heritage element gives the Water Street plan a stronger local character than a standard apartment tower.
The design also draws on the site’s history of furniture production. Rattan has been used as a reference for the podium façade, expressed through a perforated metal screen that reflects the texture and openness of woven material.
Landscaping is also built into the podium, with deep planting and integrated greenery included. The design references Brisbane’s native lotus and waterlilies.
Proposal Remains Under Assessment
The application covers 290 Water Street and associated Fortitude Valley properties at 137, 139 and 141 Warry Street, as well as U 1 Henry Roberts at 139 Warry Street.
The proposal has been framed around inner-Brisbane housing and accommodation demand, including demand linked to the 2032 Games. Its strongest local feature is the way it combines new apartment supply with commercial space, rooftop facilities and retained heritage buildings on a site near the edge of Spring Hill.
The Water Street development remains under assessment. If progressed, it would add new homes, ground-level commercial and retail space, resident amenities and restored heritage buildings to this part of Fortitude Valley.
Published 9-June-2026
