As a developer seeks more height for their Newstead retail and residential precinct, previously opposed by the owner of Gasworks Plaza, an architect reveals a vision for a pedestrian path from the retail hub to the Newstead House park.
S.KW Pty Ltd and LVS Nominees Pty Ltd (Seymour family companies) are seeking to increase the maximum number of storeys, to 33 at its highest tower, for their previously approved Newstead Green development at 99 Breakfast Creek Road.
The development consists of two buildings, one with two towers to be increased from 11 and 14 to 20 and 23 storeys, the other building with six towers to be increased from a range between 12 and 15 to a new range between 25 and 33 towers.
The larger building will include a supermarket, while both are approved for retail for the ground and first floor and residential towers.
Architect Ed Haysom was engaged to consult on the project and developed an idea for a pedestrian path that leads through the Newstead Green site, through the neighbouring two blocks between Austin, Maud and Halford St, to Newstead House.
Mr Haysom said significant community mental health benefits of the pathway would be gained through developing “outer social circles” – “familiar faces from your community that you see on a walk, or at the shops or the gym”.
“It will build an informal network for those who live, work and visit there. The pathway will be the spine of Newstead – a connector of places and people,” he said.
Mr Haysom believes it can be achieved with community support.
“I have studied the land tenure and used the smaller parcels of land to create the path but it will need [Brisbane City Council] to create incentives for it to happen by playing an active role, including the purchase of some properties.”
“In the end it will be up to the Newstead community to make it happen,” he said.
Ultimately, Mr Haysom said high rise buildings are “investment instruments”.
“Building high rise is a gamble the developer takes that they will find investors to buy their buildings.”
Mr Haysom suggested they cut down the number of high rises, locating the higher towers on the Breakfast Creek Road side of the site and the lower towers on the river side.
This would make “a more walkable interior space”, he explained, and would allow them to put a pedestrian walkway in the middle between Gasworks and Newstead House.
“I’d like to see less dense high rise, not high rises all close together,” Mr Haysom said, noting that the bulk rather than height of the development is of more importance for liveability.
“…We’re going to have high rises, let’s try and make the high rises work with the community,” he suggested to the developer.
Photo caption: A Newstead masterplan concept sketch by Ed Haysom which envisions a walking path through the suburb
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