Narrow rubbish dump to be transformed into ‘high-end boutique’ units

A slither of vacant land on the edge of Brisbane’s CBD will be transformed into new luxury units and a six-bedroom penthouse, according to a development application.
The narrow block at 440 Upper Edward Street in Spring Hill was a dirt pit filled with rubbish and a dumped e-scooter on Thursday afternoon, but developer Karam is planning to convert the site into a unique residential tower.
It will comprise seven four-bedroom apartments and a two-level penthouse with six-bedrooms, a plunge pool and garden.
A ground-level cafe or food outlet is also planned, as is a car-stacking system for 18 vehicles.
“It will be extremely high-end boutique,” developer Ned Karam said.
“The street appeal will take you back in time to where bellhops in high top hats ran the show.
“So why Spring Hill? [I] truly believe it’s on the fringe of where leafy suburbia meets city buzz which suits the fusion we are creating to perfection.”
An artist impression shows plants hanging down the white exterior from balconies on each floor.
The site – which is just 10 metres wide – is about four minutes from Central Station on foot, and slightly further from Roma Street Parklands.
Karam said construction would begin as soon as approval was granted by Brisbane City Council.
The developer’s website lists the building name as “Atrium”, but renders show “440 Upper Edward Street” written at the entrance.
Not everyone has been impressed by the plans, with three applications lodged by residents criticising the design and decision to build on such a narrow block.
“This proposal is … attempting to force a high-intensity 10-storey tower onto an exceptionally constrained lot,” one said.
“Community implications of these non-compliances are practical and severe … the proponent is sacrificing the ‘human scale’ and ‘human-scaled edge’ intended for the streetscape.”
The site has been vacant for years, with plans for an eight-story office block lodged in about 2006 but never eventuating.
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