In 2016, the Azure Development Group proposed a 15-storey student accommodation development at 25-29 Archer Street in Toowong. Just recently, the Brisbane City Council has approved its development in the area.
The project will consist of 555 rooms, a pool deck located on the rooftop, and a cross block link to an overpass that connects Toowong Village and the train station. The upcoming development lies in close proximity to the University of Queensland, hence the concept of the development. It also has easy access to public transportation.
What makes this development unique versus other establishments in the area is that it doesn’t come with a residential car parking. The development promotes public transport and cycling with the 200 bicycle parks as well as an Uber set-down bay. This makes it the first development that the BCC has approved that implements the council’s enforced requirements to allocate a scheme for car-sharing for its residents.
Trent Keirnan, the Azure Property Group Director said that the car-sharing scheme is due to their observation that most students these days don’t really need to have or use their own vehicle. It also eases the traffic congestion in the area.
However, just like most development plans, the initial proposal didn’t go smoothly. JFP Urban Consultants, on behalf of Archer Street, contradicted the development plans saying that it represents overdevelopment, as well as its lack of car parking, could be a concern for the neighbourhood, noting the already existing parking problems within the area.
BCC’s city planning boss Julian Simmonds quickly responded and said that the car-sharing scheme was recommended by the Parking Taskforce. He said that this scheme is ideal for student accommodation.
The development will be finished in early 2019.