The $750 million Albion Exchange in Brisbane promises to set a new design precedent for Australian transit-oriented developments, as the first stage of the 10-stage project takes shape.
The 15-year project, being delivered by Geon Property in partnership with the Queensland Government, will see Albion Station upgraded and its connectivity to the community enhanced.
The first stage, pending council approval, features two towers with 309 apartments, a podium-level retail and commercial hub located above the existing Albion train station, as well as high-quality pedestrian and cyclist-friendly public spaces.
Albion, located less than five kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, is expected to more than double its population between 2016 and 2032.
“Albion has lain dormant for many years and is in desperate need of revitalisation. Redeveloping four hectares around a transport node presents a massive opportunity to make a difference to the Albion area and inner city Brisbane,” says Geon Property’s senior development manager, Tim Rossberg.
“This is just stage one of 10 stages, so we have a lot of work ahead to bring different uses into the precinct and create an active community both day and night.”
Geon Property is currently investigating several ideas which will ensure Albion Exchange is “a real mixed-use project,” Rossberg adds. Among these are a commercial office building of up to 15,000 sqm, around 9,000 sqm of retail and education options.
Jason Preston, Hames Sharley principal who is spearheading the interdisciplinary design firm’s work on the project, calls Albion Exchange a “genuine TOD”.
The train station will remain fully operational throughout the 15-year project, and Preston says the design “had to acknowledge this with the public open space straddling the railway station at one end and creative approaches to how people go up and down to the station”.
“The design includes a combination of stairs and lifts and will look and feel like a series of green terraces. The terraces will allow people to pause and take in the views – particularly in and around the public open space – and allow them to meander and take their own path,” Preston adds.
Rossberg says a lot of developments touted as TODs actually “turn their backs on the train station and train line”. But Albion Exchange is different.
“We are building the public infrastructure that will lead people down to the station. The train station is a critical part of our design – and that’s the whole premise of a TOD, which is transit oriented, not adjacent, design.”
Hames Sharley conducted extensive research to examine how train noise could be minimised through careful positioning of buildings and public open space.
“Most of the retail space will frame the centrepiece of the development, which will be a large public open space that’s been designed to also act as a meeting place for neighbouring sporting and arts communities,” Preston explains.
“A rock-climbing facility is set to be developed on the western side, further activating the site.
“Ultimately, we are trying to reconnect the community, and in doing so we hope to give back to the city a pretty amazing public space in which Albion locals and Brisbane residents can come together,” Preston concludes.