First look: Seymour Group to take Newstead Green buildings to the sky

What began as a mid-rise masterplan may soon become one of Newstead’s most prominent high-rise communities, as Seymour Group moves to amend its approved development with significantly taller towers across its $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct.

The site at 99 Breakfast Creek Road has long been earmarked for transformation, with a preliminary approval already in place for a mixed-use urban village comprising eight buildings. 

The latest change application proposes to push this vision further, with Seymour Group seeking to push the buildings into the sky. Approved for heights between 11 to 15 storeys, they are now seeking to double the limit, to between 20 to 33 storeys. There will be more units available as part of the new proposal. Previously Seymour had expected around 800 across the smaller buildings.

According to the Town Planning Assessment Report submitted by Mewing Planning Consultants, sites of this size are rare and should be utilized to bring more housing to the city.

"The revised built form outcome takes advantage of the strategic opportunities offered by the site to ensure a long-term benefit to the City and seeks to create a strong architectural outcome and major focal point, with high-quality activated public spaces be provided throughout ground level," the report noted.

"Large urban development sites across the City (such as 99 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead) are rare and provide an important and scalable supply of housing to meet City and SEQ region wide needs. The subject land is a significant site with dimensions ideally suited to an integrated mixed-use high density residential development outcome, that offers potential for the City for redevelopment and delivery of residential and employment uses."

They suggested the site dimensions are of a scale and intensity of development that befits the site’s large site area, allowing for a number of tower forms to occur.

The proposal maintains the site’s mixed-use ambition but seeks to amplify its residential component in line with Brisbane’s broader urban consolidation strategy.

The site spans 1.8 hectares and occupies a strategic position along one of Brisbane’s busiest gateway corridors. It sits within a designated ‘priority precinct’ under Brisbane’s Inner City Strategy and is adjacent to upcoming infrastructure including the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge and Newstead Park.

The broader masterplan, designed by Bureau Proberts, incorporates more than 800 apartments alongside 10,000 sqm of retail anchored by Coles and a Harris Farm-style market. Key public realm elements, such as a central green spine, public plaza, and open-air laneways, remain core to the design. These features are aimed at establishing an activated precinct with permeability between Evelyn and Austin Streets.

The new proposal also outlines proximity to several other major developments in the area, such as the 28-storey towers at Breakfast Creek Quarter, and the 33-storey ‘Little Italy’ project on Stratton Street, reinforcing the precinct’s transition into a high-rise urban village.

Originally lodged in 2021 and approved by the Planning and Environment Court in 2023, the Newstead Green project had faced delays following a legal appeal from landowner Dexus. That dispute has since been resolved, allowing Seymour Group to press ahead with a revised vision for the precinct.