Consolidated Properties Tops Out $460m Monarch Towers

Consolidated Properties Group has topped out its $460-million twin towers on the former Brisbane ABC site that weathered years of uncertainty.

However, the construction of the project has been testing as Hutchinson Builders endured threats of cyclonic weather and persistent rain since beginning the build in 2023.

Residents are expected to move into the two 15-storey towers of 224 apartments on schedule—before the end of the year. Just four of the luxury apartments remain on the market.

The Wardle Architects and Cottee Parker designed-scheme includes a rooftop pool, gym, sauna and entertainment spaces at the project at 600 Coronation Drive, Toowong.

The heritage Middenbury House is also undergoing restoration and will open to the public for the first time since it was built in 1865. 

The Monarch Residences are a long way from the previous vision for the site lodged by Sunland in 2014 and refused four years later.

▲ A rendering of Sunland’s unsuccessful plans for the site.

That scheme proposed three towers of 22 to 25 storeys plus eight villas for a total of 494 homes, retention of Middenbury House, landscaping and 635 parking spaces. It was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Consolidated Properties and Qualitas acquired the 1.5ha site in a $43.5-million deal with Sunland in 2021 and filed new three-tower plans that year.

However, as expected the Brisbane City Council purchased a sizable chunk of the land for its future Toowong-to-West-End Green Bridge. 

Two towers were approved for the remaining 1.2ha site with 130m of river frontage in July of 2022.

Planning for the new bridge and parkland was paused by Brisbane City Council during a flood event the same year. 

▲ A rendering of the Monarch Residences development with the future Toowong-to-West-End Bridge over the Brisbane River.

Consolidated Properties Group chief executive Don O’Rorke said they were confident the project would exceed expectations.

“Both towers are structurally complete, and we’re moving quickly into the final stages,” O’Rorke said.

Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson said scaffolding would be removed from River 1 in the coming months to reveal the true look of the building.

▲ Construction at Monarch Residences in Toowong is nearing completion.

The site was the home of the ABC until the buildings were abandoned in 2006 due to health concerns for staff.

The ABC moved to new Brisbane headquarters at South Bank in 2012.

The Toowong property was sold to Sunland in 2013 for $20 million and the buildings were demolished in 2014.