Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Dame Zaha Hadid has imagined three glass towers complete with a neo-futuristic façade for an abandoned ABC broadcasting site in Toowong, QLD.

Ranging from 22 to 25 storeys, ‘Grace on Coronation’ will feature three unique multi-layer facetted buildings comprising a curtain wall glazing, overlayed with a quilted diamond pattern made from glass reinforced concrete.

Renowned British-Iraqi architect and founder of Zaha Hadid Architects, Dame Zaha Hadid is responsible for the design and believes that its setbacks and form will complement the surrounding riverside park.

“The design tapers each structure to minimise their footprint and open the riverfront to the public to create a vibrant civic space for Toowong within a new riverside park,” she said.

Site section (click to enlarge) and renders provided by Zaha Hadid Architects. Source: QLD Gov.

Besides this recent thrust into the public spotlight, thanks in-part to the reputation of Hadid, the Toowong site has been well-known in media circles for some time.

The former of headquarters was abandoned in 2006 due to the detection of a cancer cluster which is alleged to have led to seventeen instances of breast cancer for women who had worked at the site.

About the project:

Three residential apartment towers will be set above a ground plane and basement levels on 4,518sqm of proposed site cover. They surround eight two storey villas and an existing one storey heritage listed building that the architects have pledged to upgrade.

Towers A and B are oriented to the river frontage and will rise 22 storeys to a roof plant. Tower C will be 25 storeys high and have four levels of basement parking.

The remaining uncovered site area will be dedicated to a 7,139sqm public riverfront open space and additional private recreation and open space for residents of 4, 298sqm.

The heritage listed 'Middenbury Building' (middle bottom) is dwarfed by the three new additions from Zaha Architects. Image: Zaha Hadid Architects. Source: QLD Gov.

The main pedestrian entrance into the site is provided from the corner of Coronation Drive and Archer Street and the project proposes 566 resident car parks and 69 visitor and temporary car parks.

Specifically, the residential component of the development will provide 494 units:

170 x 1 bedroom units;
236 x 2 bedroom units;
80 x 3 bedroom units; and
8 x villas.

The developers intend that the construction will be staged in the order of Tower C, the slip lane and surrounding public realm, followed by Tower B and its riverfront public realm, and lastly Tower A.

The project proposal was lodged by Sunland Group and will now be assessed by the Brisbane City Council.

Nathan Johnson

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