WORK is set to start as early as next year on an eight-storey commercial block on Church land next to historic St Patrick’s in Fortitude Valley.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane welcomed Brisbane City Council’s recent development approval for the project.
Restoration of St Patrick’s Church will be undertaken at the same time as construction.
“The driving force behind this project is the need to ensure the parish can financially support its ageing St Patrick’s church, which has been part of the community for more than 140 years,” an archdiocesan spokesman said.
“The parish also maintains the historic Cathedral of St Stephen, which requires ongoing maintenance.
“Both churches have long-standing roles in their communities and we want them to be places of gathering for another 150-plus years.”
The new commercial building will include a tenant rooftop garden, space for the parish community to meet and two levels of basement car parking.
Architects BVN were enlisted for the design that includes the largest rooftop garden in the local area, an undercroft “Garden Room” with integrated landscape, and seating providing an urban common incorporating the century-old fig trees and the historic church.
The development will include a focus on wellness within the workplace, an important thematic in the post-COVID environment for office staff, with increased lift capacities, a bespoke two-level end-of-trip facility, plus a dedicated wellness room.
