Construction kicks off on Newstead’s $1.5bn Little Italy precinct
Workers commenced building Newstead’s tallest tower and a new Italian-themed food hub on Friday. The $1.5 billion Little Italy precinct on Longland Street marks a major shift for the inner-city suburb. Brisbane Times reported that construction began this week on the themed strip and the largest of the planned buildings.
The project will eventually include three towers housing about 1500 people and a cobblestoned space filled with restaurants and shops. This development follows a high-profile legal battle involving a neighbouring music venue and the Brisbane City Council.
Scale and luxury of the Oro tower
The 31-storey tower, named Oro, will stand about 110 metres tall. It will comprise 197 one- to five-bedroom luxury residential apartments and penthouses. Panettiere Developments announced that 50 per cent of units had already been sold before construction started. The smallest apartments in the building start at more than $1 million.
Residents will have access to extensive amenities within the Oro building. These include a gym, studios for Pilates and yoga, and a heated rooftop pool. The facility also features an indoor pool, hot and cold plunge zones, a sauna, and steam and salt therapy rooms. Private dining rooms and co-working spaces are also promised as part of the building’s offering.
Italian flags and workers were visible on the site on Wednesday afternoon. They prepared for the launch event that preceded the official start of construction. The Oro building was designed by the Australian architecture and interior design studio Carr.
Legal challenges and design changes
The project previously made headlines after neighbouring music venue The Triffid took action. The venue sued the developer and Brisbane City Council to force a redesign of the plan. This legal intervention highlighted the tension between high-density residential growth and established cultural venues in the area.
Despite the court case, the project has moved forward to the construction phase. The surrounding street-level spaces will be transformed into an Italian-themed and cobblestoned piazza. This area is dedicated to hosting new restaurants and shops that align with the precinct’s theme.
Historical context of Newstead’s boom
Newstead has boomed in recent years, transforming from a mix of industrial and residential zones into a high-density residential hotspot. The area has seen a rapid increase in the height and number of residential towers in a short timeframe. This current development is part of a broader trend of intensification across the inner-city Brisbane suburbs.
Just over 100 metres away from the Little Italy site, a 20-storey residential tower was recently approved. This new tower is planned for the site of a former gym that burnt down. The approval of such a large structure so close to the new precinct underscores the aggressive development pressure in the locality.
The history of Newstead involves a complex transition from its industrial past to its current status as a sought-after residential enclave. The introduction of a themed precinct like Little Italy represents a specific vision for the suburb’s future identity. It aims to blend high-end living with a curated commercial experience on the ground level.
Community and lifestyle impacts
The construction of the Oro tower and the Little Italy precinct will significantly alter the streetscape of Longland Street. The introduction of a cobblestoned piazza will change the physical texture of the street. This shift from standard urban pavement to a themed European-style space will impact pedestrian flow and the general atmosphere of the neighbourhood.
Local businesses may face both opportunities and challenges from this development. The new restaurants and shops will compete with existing establishments on Longland Street and nearby Brunswick Street. However, the influx of 1500 new residents across the three towers could drive higher foot traffic to the area.
Traffic and infrastructure will also feel the strain of this density increase. The precinct is designed to house a significant population in a relatively small footprint. This concentration of residents will place demands on local roads, parking, and public transport links in Newstead and the surrounding suburbs of Teneriffe and Fortitude Valley.
Property values in the immediate vicinity are likely to be influenced by the luxury nature of the Oro apartments. With entry prices exceeding $1 million, the project sets a high benchmark for the local housing market. This may accelerate price growth for existing properties in Newstead as the suburb becomes increasingly associated with high-end living.
Timeline and future phases
Oro and the Little Italy precinct are scheduled to be finished in 2029. A spokesperson for the developer confirmed that the entire project was slated to be finished before the 2032 Games. This timeline aligns the completion of the precinct with Brisbane’s major global event.
A spokesperson for the developer would not say when construction of the other two buildings would begin. They confirmed only that the first phase, the Oro tower, was the immediate focus. The staggered construction approach suggests a long-term commitment to the site over the next several years.
Residents and local stakeholders will need to monitor the progress of the remaining two towers. The start date for these structures will determine the pace of population growth in the precinct. Further details on the design and timeline for the subsequent buildings are expected to emerge as the initial construction phase advances.
