A derelict inner Brisbane shopping 'eyesore' will transform into a transit oriented development
July 22, 2013
Coorparoo, a suburb once considered a shopping heartland on Brisbane’s east side, is about to rise from decades in decline and reinvigorate as a transit oriented development (TOD), with a busway already at its front door.
Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney recently announced Coorparoo’s neglected Myer Building, once a bustling department store, is now a step closer to revitalisation after the appointment of Honeycombes Property Group to redevelop the site.
Seeney says the site would be developed after being left idle for years waiting for the completion of the Eastern Busway project.
“The old Myer Building was one of a number of buildings acquired by the former Government as part of the development site at a cost in the order of $50 million in 2009 and was left as a run-down, almost lifeless junction,” Seeney says.
He says the $150 million redevelopment will see the delivery of improved public transport infrastructure and a public plaza on the corner of Old Cleveland Road and Harries Road, at Coorparoo.
“It is important we continue to see economic development across the state, with the Coorparoo Transit Oriented Development (TOD) a prime example of what we can expect to see,” says Seeney.
State Member for Greenslopes Ian Kaye says the development would breathe new life into Brisbane’s inner eastern suburbs.
“This development will support Brisbane City Council’s Eastern Corridor Neighbourhood Plan and reinforce our objective to develop land around key transit nodes,” Kaye says.
“There will be a mixture of residential apartments and terrace homes with around 1,500 square metres of retail and office space built.”
Kaye says the new site would stimulate strong economic growth as the TOD draws people to the area.
“We have long been waiting for development in this area, as the tired site has been dragging our businesses down.
“The appointment of the Honeycombes Property Group means this area will once again be a focal point for the community.”
The site is expected to be cleared by December next year.
The development will be delivered in three stages with the first stage expected to be completed by the end of 2016.