A proposed office tower with an “eroded” form will be built in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley as part of a project that includes the redevelopment of the historic Police-Citizens Youth Club.
The two-stage project, which comprises a four-storey building housing the youth club and a 12-storey office tower, has been granted development approval by Brisbane council.
Rothelowman is the architect for the tower, which will be built as part of stage two, while Red Door Architecture has designed the youth club building.
In a design statement, Rothelowman said the tower responds Fortitude Valley’s landscape, culture and history.
“458 Wickham Street is a prominent site within Fortitude Valley that is embedded deeply in Brisbane’s history and culture. Adjacent to the heritage Police Station, the site faces the Holy Trinity Church and is near the Valley Pool,” the statement reads.
“This proposal properly responds to its context by acknowledging the existing historical classicism in the precinct by embracing the landscape and climate. The rational office grid adapts to local climate conditions and erodes to respond to the human scale of the neighbouring heritage buildings.
“The built form erodes to make space for landscape which will mature and age with the city. This dichotomy between historical context and contemporary office, and between landscape and built form is made visceral through proportion and materiality.”
At the “eroded corner of the building, deep planting provision will allow for a verdant landscape, in an attempt to reinstate the “wildness […] slowly disappearing around the city.”
“The architecture of the erosion celebrates the culture and identity of Brisbane and its intrinsic connection to nature - a connection understood by residents and visitors alike. The erosion responds to the canopy of the tree which contributes directly to this same experience and connection.”
Plans for the tower include a café, three floors of carparking, eight floors of office space and a communal rooftop area.
The overall development was initiated by the Queensland state government and PCYC Queensland, who asked for competitive bids from the private sector to deliver a new facility for the youth centre. They awarded the project to local developer Silverstone Developments.
PCYC has operated in Fortitude Valley for more than 50 years, running programs on youth leadership and development, sport, crime-prevention and more.
The redeveloped centre will include additional community facilities, new boxing facilities, a gym, and basketball facilities.
“Our government’s is pleased to be working with Silverstone to deliver a new facility that will extend the services already offered by the club, to the benefit of PCYC Queensland members and Fortitude Valley locals,” said state development minister Cameron Dick.
“This is a great outcome for a club that’s been a part of the social fabric of Fortitude Valley since 1965.”
