TOWER PROJECT TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO ROMA STREET

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten today officially launched construction of the $270 million Northbridge tower, heralding an anticipated upsurge in major commercial redevelopment in Brisbane’s CBD.

Wielding a spade, Mr Schwarten turned the first sod on the 32 Turbot Street site of the new commercial tower developed by Queensland entity Ross Nielson Properties and designed by local architects Donovan Hill.

The 35-storey building will deliver a further 30,000sqm of net commercial space to the CBD and is expected to be completed in late 2008.

“Construction of Northbridge tower signals the latest phase in the rejuvenation of the George and Roma Streets area,” he said.

“Queensland Government initiatives continue to stimulate new life in the city’s major legal district after the outstanding success of the Roma Street Parkland redevelopment.

“Significant government projects in the area include the $135 million Magistrate’s Court opened in late 2004, the new Supreme and District Courts complex now being planned, and the Tank Street footbridge,” Mr Schwarten said.

The TankStreetBridge will link Brisbane city to the new Millennium Arts Precinct at the Queensland Cultural Centre, completing a pedestrian and cycle loop between the city and South Bank via the GoodwillBridge.

“A key feature of Northbridge will be a 70-metre pedestrian lane linking the TankStreetBridge with Turbot Street,” Mr Schwarten said.

“The 24-hour walkway will feature contemporary public artwork, cafes and public seating,” he said.

Mr Schwarten said the new Northbridge tower would be located in the heart of the emerging North Quarter urban renewal precinct, developed by a consortium of Ross Nielson Properties, Leighton Properties, Citimark Properties, DeMartini Properties and Rohrig Constructions.

“The North Quarter precinct, launched in August 2006, is expected to include at least six major commercial developments as well as the recently-refurbished McDonnell and East building,” he said.

“The precinct will revitalise the area dramatically, serving as the focus of an enormous amount of private development and public infrastructure spending in the western CBD during the next five years,” the Minister said.

“More than $2 billion worth of private development and public infrastructure has already been committed to the precinct, which is set to become the most integrated and easily accessible area in Brisbane’s CBD.

“Once the TankStreetBridge has linked the new Gallery of Modern Art at South Brisbane with the city, workers within the North Quarter precinct will have access to a vast array of recreation, shopping, transport and support services,” he said.

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