Fresh Design Filed for Frank and Signature’s Approved New Farm Scheme

Fresh designs for Frank Development and Signature Property Partners’ boutique apartment scheme in Brisbane’s New Farm have been revealed.

The project, Bel Air, is Frank and builder and development joint venture partner Signature Property Partners’ second project on the suburb’s Oxlade Drive, and fourth project together.

It is, however, Melbourne-based Studio Kennon’s first residential project in Queensland.

The amended designs are now before the Brisbane City Council, which had approved the original scheme in March.

Bel Air comprises 21 apartments in a mix of two, three and four bedrooms across five storeys.

Rooftop amenities include pool, sauna and barbecue terrace, while there will be 71 car spaces and 30 bicycle spaces across two basement levels.

The developer said the design had been “guided by passive performance principles: cross-ventilation through considered layouts, shading devices calibrated to Brisbane’s solar angles, and deep ground-level planting that connects the building to its landscape and streetscape”.

The scheme follows completion of Della ROSA in 2025 on the same street at New Farm, about 4km east of the Brisbane CBD.

That project, the first collaboration between cousins Frank Development founder Frank Licastro, and Signature Property Partners’ Joe Licastro, set a suburb record for off-river apartment sales of $30,000 per square metre.

Frank Licastro said “Della Rosa taught us that buyers are becoming far more design-conscious”.

The new designs for Bel Air reflect a deliberate shift, with a new architect and consideration for the demand moving towards smaller, boutique homes in premium locations.

“Sites like this are becoming increasingly rare. It has taken us 18 months to bring this together,” he said

Frank Licastro said the plans aimed to reflect the street’s historical character, retaining the name of the original building and incorporating warm brick tones inspired by the building, together with a design intended to reflect the idea of a tree canopy.

The architects drew on New Farms’ established streetscape, through features such as bay windows, arched openings and balustrade detailing inspired by traditional Queensland architectural detailing and reinterpreted in a contemporary style.

Studio Kennon director Peter Kennon said that New Farm hosted “an eclectic mix of architectural styles that contribute to a character both historical and emerging”.

“We have designed a building for residents to embody this life,” he said.

The development partners said their three active projects across Brisbane and the Gold Coast were expected to deliver around 163 new homes.

Frank Developments has a project pipeline of $1.85 billion across South-East Queensland.

Frank’s Mira residences at Northcliffe, a 27-storey tower with 12 residences, and 26-unit Ducale at Teneriffe are nearing completion, while construction is under way on its 85-homes Alba development at Hamilton, and the 45-apartment Murano at in Teneriffe.

It is also poised to begin construction on Maya at Northcliffe, a 37-storey, 57-home project that will be its tallest project to date.