LatStudios were engaged by Consolidated Properties Group to work with John Wardle Architects to create this unique landmark development that shares its site with the heritage listed Holy Trinity Anglican Church. The award-winning commercial development at 900 Ann Street now houses the Brisbane headquarters for Aurizon, Australia’s largest rail freight operator.

The development encompasses an entire city block in Fortitude Valley and comprises three heritage listed church-related buildings in an area that is experiencing significant urban renewal. This provided a rich framework for LatStudios to introduce a renewed overlay of contemporary public realm that seamlessly integrates the two distinctly different uses. The new commercial tower respectfully responds to the heritage architecture and offers a generous public realm that folds the lobby and streetscape into the publicly accessible common landscape areas that thread throughout the site and church grounds.

This project has established a new benchmark for inner city commercial development where user experience and response to community are paramount.

Benefits
LatStudios’ design:

• Opens the previously hidden away site, to its neighbouring context
• Focuses on reinforcing the site’s quality as an oasis within its evolving urban context
• Integrates the numerous existing mature shade trees cleverly into the design
• Respectfully uplifts the church context and provides increased functionality
• Incorporates lush subtropical trees and palms to provide deep shade and framing of key axial views to the new and old architecture
• Designs in a myriad of spaces accommodating the morning coffee ritual, lunch time escape, corporate catch up and church community gatherings
• Creates seating nooks, outdoor dining and open lawn event areas bound by a rich and diverse display of colourful subtropical planting
• Provides increases site activation and improved public safety.