A new leafy laneway spanning a city block between West End and South Brisbane will pave the way for Pradella’s SkyNeedle Apartments to become a hive of activity, as the community takes shape with a plaza, expansive podium with private pool and landscaped gardens, and a planned café at the base of the iconic 88 metre pillar.
The new ‘SkyNeedle Walk’ will boast a subtropical laneway connecting Manning and Edmondstone Streets, leading to one of Brisbane’s most identifiable landmarks – the SkyNeedle – which helped usher the city on to the world stage during Expo ’88.
SkyNeedle Apartments is being built on a 3,600sqm land parcel located less than a kilometre from the CBD and Musgrave Park, within easy reach of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane State High School, TAFE and an array of restaurants and shops.
Construction recently commenced on the first of two towers in the SkyNeedle Apartments community, which will ultimately boast 237 apartments, with the first stage expected to be complete by late 2018 – 30 years after the SkyNeedle was first unveiled at Expo ’88.
Pradella Project Director Brett Lentz says the new community is being created to ‘bring new life’ to the SkyNeedle, which will be restored to its former glory at the completion of the project, with refurbishment of the tower, awning and lighting.
“Our vision is to see the SkyNeedle once again become a part of Brisbane life,” he said.
“We hope the SkyNeedle Walk will encourage people to visit the SkyNeedle and enjoy the new amenities being delivered as part of this community, including a beautiful open air plaza and planned café.
“The cafe will actually sit underneath the copper canopy of the SkyNeedle, so people will be able to wine and dine within metres of this heritage landmark.
“For residents, the SkyNeedle will become synonymous with ‘home’ as it sits proudly at the entrance to the community, with an expansive oasis separating the two towers.
“This oasis features a large lagoon style pool with sundeck, outdoor entertainment and dining areas, set amongst a backdrop of subtropical gardens, allowing residents and guests to enjoy the private amenities year round.
“When Pradella bought this site, retaining the SkyNeedle was key to the redevelopment plan and presented some great opportunities so, it was agreed from the outset that the needle would become a key feature for the project and ‘hero’ of this new community.”
Pradella Design Manager Boyd Andrews says many aspects of the new community are ‘themed’ in line with the SkyNeedle.
“The development takes its design cues from the SkyNeedle, with plenty of circular spaces and hints of copper matching the canopy seen on the facade of the building and throughout the open air plaza,” he said.
“Resident lobbies are inspired by the SkyNeedle and integrate elements of natural materials, copper and contoured textiles to create a warm and inviting entry for residents and guests.
‘’Like the beacon atop the SkyNeedle – the apartments in this community are bright and elevated to take in breezes and views across the city, parklands and West End.”