A development application has been lodged for a 16-storey mixed-use project at 10 Morrow Street, Taringa, proposing a combination of residential apartments, short-term accommodation, and ground-level centre activities including retail and food and drink tenancies.

Submitted by HLA Group Australia Pty Ltd and prepared by Human Habitats, the proposal seeks approval for a Material Change of Use across a 3,139m² site currently occupied by a single-storey fast food outlet.

Located within Brisbane City Council’s District Centre zoning and the Taringa Neighbourhood Plan, the site sits within the Morrow Street corridor and immediately adjacent to a key pedestrian connection linking directly to Taringa train station. The location places the development within close proximity to frequent bus services along Moggill Road and strong road connections to the Western Freeway and Centenary Motorway, positioning the site within one of Brisbane’s more accessible inner-west transport nodes.

The proposal comprises a vertically integrated development combining permanent residential apartments with short-term accommodation supported by commercial uses at ground level. The site spans two allotments with frontage to both Morrow Street and George Street and currently accommodates a low-intensity commercial use, which would be replaced with a significantly higher density outcome consistent with the planning intent for the corridor.

The surrounding context is characterised by a mix of low to medium density residential buildings, commercial premises and mid-rise apartment developments, with building heights ranging from one to over twelve storeys. The site’s proximity to Taringa station, nearby retail precincts including Toowong and Indooroopilly, and access to key employment and education hubs reinforces its suitability for increased density and mixed-use activity.

The building has been designed as a sculptural tower form with a central articulation, drawing on a conceptual design language inspired by the geometry of a butterfly wing. According to the architect Ellivo, the design incorporates layered façades, deep recesses and integrated landscaping to respond to Brisbane’s subtropical climate while creating a softer architectural expression. The façade treatment introduces vertical planting and recessed balconies that break down the overall mass and contribute to shading, ventilation and visual depth.

Communal amenity is a key focus of the development, with multiple levels dedicated to shared resident facilities. At podium level, the building incorporates a range of indoor and outdoor spaces including gym facilities, lounges and communal areas designed to support both everyday living and social interaction. These spaces are integrated into the building’s planning to create a layered transition between public and private domains.

At the rooftop, the development introduces a large landscaped terrace designed as a resort-style environment. This space is organised into a series of distinct zones that support wellness, relaxation and social activity, including outdoor seating areas, dining zones and landscaped gardens. The rooftop design integrates dense subtropical planting, layered vegetation and open spaces that would provide both passive recreation and more active communal uses, while also framing views across the surrounding urban context. The rooftop is intended to function as a shared retreat within the building, combining greenery, shade and open space to create a highly usable communal environment.

Landscape design is embedded throughout the project, with a strong emphasis on integrating planting across all levels of the building. The proposal includes vertical green spines along the façade, cascading vegetation from balconies and extensive rooftop planting to create a consistent landscape language. At ground level, deep planting zones, seating areas and improved pedestrian connections contribute to a more activated and landscaped street interface, particularly along the connection to the train station. The landscape strategy also incorporates a mix of planting types intended to support urban biodiversity and create a more immersive green environment within the development.

The development includes a substantial provision of parking and transport infrastructure, with approximately 141 residential car parks, 19 visitor spaces and additional spaces allocated for short-term accommodation and staff. Bicycle parking is also provided, with 120 resident bicycle spaces and additional visitor facilities, supporting alternative transport modes in a highly connected location.