Since its introduction back in early 2016, designs have been dramatically changed for the proposed supertall condo from World Class Land, known originally as 240 Margaret Street. Below, the tower's first and second iteration, the latter known by its current designation of 30 Albert Street, can be seen, as a point of contrast with the current design scheme pictured thereafter. 

The former 240 Margaret Street, original proposal, image via World Class Land

Seen above, the original design for the former 240 Margaret Street features a curvy blue-tinted tower resting atop an angular, gold-tinted podium. Below, the second, somewhat more angular version, known by then as 30 Albert Street, can be seen with a much more cohesive green-tinted colour palette, which would have continued from top to bottom. 

30 Albert Street, second design scheme in green, image via World Class Land

The current proposal for the 91-storey tower was designed by Cox Rayner Architects and features a gold and blue glass finish, bringing together elements from the earlier design schemes. In its final form, the structure of the podium and tower have been significantly altered, and the new divided colour scheme will be carried throughout the entirety of the structure from top to bottom. 

New design for 30 Albert Street, image via World Class Land

While the height of the 274-metre, 91-storey tower will not change, remaining the same as the nearby Brisbane Skytower, the tower and podium's footprint will be increased considerably. Permission from City Council came in the wake of allowances gained from a Transferable Site Area (TSA) agreement, whereby a developer purchases and agrees to help upkeep and maintain heritage structure(s) in return for greater building allowances. 

New design for 30 Albert Street, alternate view, image via World Class Land

Altogether, the footprint has been increased by 431 square metres, to a new total of 2,438 square metres, an allowance granted once the developer purchased a set of nearby heritage properties in compliance with the TSA.

30 Albert Street, sporting its new gold and blue, image via World Class Land

This increase has in turn allowed for the addition of 125 units, the total rising from 732 to 857, along with an increase in non-residential space within the podium from 636 to 956 square metres. Beyond this, exterior streetscape improvements have been agreed to, including the placement of awnings to enhance the pedestrian experience, which has in turn allowed for a larger basement, and thus parking allowance, along with a notable increase in communal amenity space for residents, which will now feature a double-height ceiling. 

30 Albert Street amid the Brisbane skyline, image via World Class Land

Once complete, 30 Albert Street will be a welcome addition to central Brisbane, the Queensland capital quickly becoming a forest of tall condo and office towers, the heights of which appear to be unlimited, thanks in part to the flexibility inherent to the city's TSA regulations. As in many other cities, this type of legislation allows for increases and other special privileges that may have otherwise been denied. 

SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.