Australia: Brightlands Living, the development company founded by former Olympian Ed Fernon, has lodged plans for a coliving and specialist disability housing apartment tower in Brisbane.
The 14-storey tower would comprise 57 coliving units, 48 two-bedroom apartments and 15 specialist disability accommodation units on a site behind Buranda Village and near the Princess Alexandra Hospital in the suburb of Woolloongabba.
The Place Studio-designed tower at 155-159 Regent Street is aimed at creating a “wellness community that caters to a range of residents with different housing needs” including traditional apartments, co-living and NDIS apartments.
“The intent is to foster a diverse community by catering to a broad range of tenants with varying ages, occupations, income levels, ability and accommodation requirements,” a Mecone Town Planning report said.
“Coliving is a relatively new concept in Brisbane but is well-established in other parts of the world. The concept is based on affordability and flexibility, with a focus on community and shared space. It delivers fully furnished units on flexible lease arrangements, which typically includes access to communal facilities and participation in hosted community events. The coliving housing typology appeals to key workers such as nurses on low to middle incomes as well as visiting professionals, temporary business visitors, mature-aged students and transient residents,” it added.
Level 13 of the proposed tower will feature communal facilities including an outdoor barbecue area, pool, yoga room, gym and sauna, as well as three meeting rooms and a communal dining room and kitchen. The cost of internet, water, electricity and, in some cases, cleaning will be included in the rental price.
The site is currently made up of three lots, with two houses and a seven-unit apartment block that would make way for the apartment tower if approved.
Fernon represented Australia in the modern pentathlon at the 2012 games in London and the 2020 games in Tokyo.
