New corporate development taking up half a city block and comprising one brand new, 32 storey office tower cornering George and Adelaide Streets, supplemented up by a reconditioned 22 storey tower on Ann Street, well known locally as the former Brisbane Administration Centre building. A busy plaza is formed between the buildings, also providing new pedestrian routes through the site. A number of retail and dining tenancies are located at ground level, activating the street and plaza perimeters. The new buildings replace a not altogether successful sunken plaza and library.
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275 George Street and Northbank Plaza
Written by cityadmin2
June 03, 2010
Hits: 575
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3.7 (1) |
about the listing
| address | 275 George Street, 69 Ann Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000 |
| year | 2009 (and 1975) |
| citymaker(s) | Charter Hall, Watpac, Crone Partners, others |
User reviews
Average user rating from: 1 user(s)
We think 275 George Street and Northbank Plaza is fairly typical of recent CBD corporate developments, including near neighbours in the North Quarter area. Typical architecture: big in scale, stylish enough in materials and detail, and brimming with green stars. Typical urban design too, with some kindness to the public realm (wider footpaths, stone paving, active edges, public space, seating and plenty of activity). Typical but good!
The two office towers are spaced diagonally on the site and the designers have avoided the trap of 1980s-style underused open plazas and instead framed the remaining street edges (including the George/Ann Street corner) with 4 storey built form. At pedestrian level the site perimeter is fully activated and necks have to be craned far back to see where the tower buildings are located within the site.
The new “cross block links” here work well as short cuts, and create an alternative walking experience to the much busier street footpaths. The buildings also frame a wonderful view of the City Hall clock tower from George Street. And what about the possibility of a new off-street route from King George Square all the way to the river, via City Hall, this development, and the Law Courts complex? This must have seemed too far fetched even when the City Centre Master plan was considered just a few years ago, but with City Hall under refurbishment now, and new courts under construction farther down George Street, perhaps this future is not so far fetched after all?
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