How Brisbane is creating buildings that breathe 

Featuring the first elevated public park in the Southern Hemisphere, 480 Queen Street in Brisbane “gives back to the city” and presents a new model for urban activation.

When 480 Queen Street, overlooking the Brisbane River, opened its doors last year, Queensland Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk praised the building for “giving back to the city”.

The 32-storey vertical village features a rooftop grove that offers some of the best views in Brisbane, as well as a 1,400 sqm public park on level four, which preserves river views from St John’s Cathedral.

The building, owned by DEXUS Property Group and DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund, was developed and built by Grocon.

Richard Garing, DEXUS’ head of office portfolio, says the building responds to Brisbane City Council’s vision to create a new global world city. Part of that vision is to “have buildings that breathe,” he says.

“The park is definitely an evolution in thinking for the development industry.

“While many developers have built terraces or rooftop areas with restricted access to office tenants, this park is open to everyone.

“Brisbane City Council wants people to have easy access to the riverfront, with permeable streets, and 480 Queen Street responds to this.”

Garing says this area of Brisbane is currently undergoing a period of renewal.

“We are seeing gentrification of older stock, student accommodation coming in, as well as more residential and office buildings. The park is creating opportunities for an increasingly diverse community.”

The entrance to the park is an experience in itself, with visitors wowed by a 3 sqm glass tile mural by acclaimed Queensland-born artist Danie Mellor.

The park also features a 100-seat amphitheatre for events, which has proved a popular venue for fashion parades and other social gatherings. The building’s childcare centre, a boutique gym, restaurant and bar are also accessible from the park.

Up on the rooftop terrace a grove of trees and landscaping attract building occupants throughout the day. Around 220 people can be accommodated at a time, and the building management team runs wellbeing and social events in a venue with unrivalled city views.

“Anyone working in the building can use the space to eat their lunch, run a team meeting or read a book,” Garing explains.

“One of our key customers is hosting a global conference in the space shortly, and is flying in 130 partners from around the world. This is a great example of how buildings can create economic opportunity for a city.”

Garing says his team has “learnt a lot” during 480 Queen Street’s first year of operation.

“We are getting great feedback from tenant occupiers and are constantly learning new ways that people are using these spaces – what works and what doesn’t.”

DEXUS is currently looking at how to encourage activity such as live music in the public park throughout the year to draw people up from street level – particularly in Brisbane’s windy season – and is about to install wind barriers. The bar and café offerings are being tweaked to provide a more diverse and accessible range of options. Cinema nights may be on the cards, too.

And a partnership with Brisbane Marketing is helping more locals uncover the city’s hidden gem.

“We are constantly trying new things and refining our approach based on feedback. We understand it’s about placemaking and about giving people a reason to visit 480 Queen Street.”