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New York City brownstones and townhouses have long appealed to buyers who want more square footage and private outdoor space without having to decamp to the suburbs, where you’ll pay higher property taxes. But compared to a co-op or condo, living in a brownstone is a more hands-on investment that will put significant demands on your time.
The differences between buying an apartment and a brownstone start with the pre-sale process, which will be more thorough and require you to use an attorney, lender, and insurance broker with brownstone experience. But that’s not where the differences end.
You’re probably already aware that you won’t have the perks of NYC apartment living, like having a super to call whenever something needs fixing and staff to accept your packages.
In the post-pandemic era, another difference—living on multiple floors—is no longer considered as much of a drawback. “One of the things that people used to find intimidating or unappealing about townhouses was the verticality and the separation of spaces,” said Lindsay Barton Barrett, a broker at Douglas Elliman.
Now buyers appreciate “the ability to create distinct spaces—for work, as well as places to come back together as a family,” she said. “Additionally, the autonomy that comes with owning a townhouse, controlling all of the spaces, having a home gym, laundry, etc., has become newly appreciated.”
[Editor’s note: An earlier version of this post was published in October 2024. We are presenting it again with updated information for September 2025.]
What you may not be counting on are all the other myriad responsibilities that can—and inevitably will—rear their head at any time.
“I always pre-warn buyers of the kinds of things they are going to be responsible for and to know at least the basics in case something crops up in the middle of the night,” said Kemdi Anosike, an agent at Compass. Think water leaks or a flipped electrical switch.
He also pointed out that becoming a DIYer is a small price to pay in exchange for privacy, a backyard, and the power to make your home all your own.
If you’re considering buying a brownstone, here’s what you can expect.
1) Upkeep is your responsibility as an owner
Unlike with a co-op or condo, if anything goes wrong with the property, it’s your responsibility to hire a professional—no more calling your building’s super to say, “I’ve got a problem.” That goes for dealing with rodents, clogged drains, and trash removal.
“Buyers for sure think about shoveling snow and tending the garden, but not getting service contracts to keep mechanical equipment in working order,” Barton Barrett said. Having owned a townhouse in the Cobble Hill Historic District for over 15 years, she noted that “it’s the ongoing but infrequent responsibilities, such as neglecting a persistent but seemingly minor leak, that can create the most havoc.”
Anosike makes a point of reminding brownstone buyers to pay their water bills, which you don’t have to do in a co-op or condo. “I’ve had clients call me two months after closing, wondering why their water has been shut off,” he said.
You will need to be proactive about routine home maintenance, primarily for the boiler, furnace, and plumbing, as well as cleaning the gutters and making any roof repairs (or replacing it as needed, typically after 20 years for asphalt shingles, longer for slate).
Then there’s the matter of painting or otherwise keeping the facade and stoop in good repair. Be prepared to shell out bucks to replace windows for better insulation and soundproofing, too.
The city also requires you to keep your sidewalk in good condition—and will hold you liable if someone slips on the ice or if a tree root comes up and lifts part of the sidewalk, creating a tripping hazard. (It happens a lot, per Barton Barrett.)
Now for the good news: Odds are you won’t be going it entirely alone. Anosike reported that neighbors often collaborate by hiring a communal super to handle all their needs.
Here’s another idea, if you’re coming from a co-op or condo: Anosike had a client hire their former super to come to their new place once a week to help out.
2) You’ll need a way to accept deliveries and packages
Given modern technology, forgoing amenities like doormen or concierges to handle your deliveries is no longer such a drawback. Installing a remote doorman system like Virtual Doorman, which you control via the app, is one workaround; when the delivery person presses the buzzer, you can see who it is and provide access to a safe spot to leave packages. Another option is a Box Lock, featuring a smart lock with a built-in scanner that works with any container that can be secured with a padlock.
Barton Barrett noted that some New Yorkers hire house managers who can be there to accept packages and meet the plumber or other workers, as these individuals often have construction management experience. Or you can take another common (old-school) approach and ask a neighbor who is home during the day to take your packages.
As for the lack of building security, you can install wireless security systems from Ring, SimpliSafe, and Vivint, or “get a more elaborate 24/7 monitoring service,” Anosike said.
One final caveat: Because it’s extremely rare to find an elevator in a brownstone, you should also consider how you’ll be moving furniture and appliances into your new dwelling. (Hint: Take careful measurements before you buy.)
3) You have to do a title search
Any liens on the property, code violations, and open permits will be discovered by the title company when it searches and prepares its report, typically after a signed contract, although you can order these searches earlier.
Your attorney may uncover liens or violations during the usual due diligence, as well. You can also do your own research on the Department of Buildings’ website.
It’s worth bearing in mind that brownstones can easily be 100 years old or more in NYC, and during that long history, “something may have happened,” Barton Barrett said. In addition, because owners tend to renovate these homes, there’s greater potential for a contractor’s lien or open work permits.
“Many people overlook the need to be prepared if a title search goes awry. Issues can arise after the contract is signed, and only a qualified attorney can help you navigate them. Sometimes the title report can show violations that weren’t identified in the initial public record report,” she said.
Not that these are necessarily deal-breakers, but they can drag out the sale, by weeks or even months.
4) Check the C of O if you want to rent out units
If you‘re considering buying a brownstone as a multi-family property to rent out units, you’ll want to check with the DOB to verify its legal designation under the Certificate of Occupancy. This is because a three-family setup may actually be classified as a two-family designation, or a two-family home might be considered a legitimate single-family home. If your plan is to buy a two-family with the goal of renting an apartment out, you want to make sure that the house is indeed a legal two-family.
And if you’re getting a mortgage, the brownstone’s actual use will need to be in line with its legal use; otherwise, your lender may not close on the loan.
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5) Your offer depends on passing the inspection
The general thinking is that any offer should be contingent on the property passing a site inspection, which you should schedule before you sign the contract. Ask your broker or mortgage banker for a home inspector recommendation or search for one here.
“It’s a good idea to work with a licensed inspector who is experienced with brownstones, which have a whole set of potential problems not associated with modern buildings,” Anosike said. Those include the presence of lead paint; mold in the basement (“that’s very common”); problems with the facade, foundation, or roof; a leak from an oil tank; and an outdated heating system or electrical wiring.
6) Landmark status impacts renovation plans
If the brownstone is in one of the city’s coveted landmarked districts, you’ll be required to go through the Landmarks Preservation Commission to obtain approval for exterior renovations. It can be a time-consuming process, and you’ll be limited in what you can do.
“It does add a layer of complication when renovating, but I personally think it’s not as much of a pain as people think it is,” Barton Barrett said. Simple updates can be approved at the staff level, for example, rather than having to get a full review.
Except for the rare instance where the interior is also landmarked, you will be able to make changes to the inside of the building, though you’ll still have to submit all the design plans.
“But if you want to add another story or modernize the exterior, a landmarked brownstone may not be for you,” Anosike said.
7) More units mean a bigger down payment
It makes sense that for higher-priced properties, you’ll need a larger down payment. Also, the required down payment increases with the number of units, which is something to consider if you are buying a multi-family dwelling to live in or are planning to be a landlord.
That reality, of course, limits how much you can borrow.
While there’s no real difference in interest rates for a condo, co-op, or brownstone, the rate will depend on factors such as purchase price, loan amount, property type, and your financial profile (e.g., credit score and post-close reserves).
On another note, a Federal Housing Administration loan, which is more readily available for brownstone purchases, allows you to put down as little as 3.5 percent for a down payment. But the loans are capped at $1,209,750, which may not work for expensive NYC properties.
8) It’s harder to be a landlord in NYC now
If you’re buying a brownstone and plan to be the sole occupant, your attorney should make sure the building is delivered vacant.
Otherwise, if you intend to be a landlord and use part of the property for income, you should know that being a landlord isn’t what it used to be, said Adam Stone, a real estate attorney at The Stone Law Firm, which also acts as a property manager for clients who own rental buildings.
“There are always new NYC regulations putting more of a burden on property owners not only to comply with the various regulations, but also to come up with the funds to be able to stay in compliance.”
For example, because of the rent law changes in 2019, “you either need to offer a lease renewal or provide notice if you’re not renewing the lease—and the length of notice depends on how long the tenant has been there,” he said, adding, “There’s a lot that people wouldn’t know.”
Stone teaches continuing education courses on buying brownstones and townhouses that are geared to brokers; however, buyers are welcome to attend as well. Contact him for more details.
Note that rent-regulated tenants generally pay less than market-rate tenants, which can factor into your financial equation. They also have automatic lease renewal. To stay informed about these requirements, consider hiring a property management firm or a law firm with experience in property management.
9) You will need the right insurance
When you buy a brownstone that requires renovation, your insurance “can be an issue because anything more than basic cosmetic work can void a standard policy,” said Jeff Schneider, president of Gotham Brokerage. “Buyers have to inquire if several months of vacancy or renovation work will require a different kind of policy. (The general contractor’s coverage is not sufficient, even if you are named as an additional insured.) The right coverage can be expensive, but not as much as an uncovered loss,” he said.
Other insurance considerations also crop up when living in a brownstone. For example, if there’s a fire or heavy winds, most policies will not cover the costs of restoring a brownstone to its original construction—meaning they won’t replace crown moldings or mahogany wood, Schneider said.
The policies that do cover extensive repairs are considerably more costly; be prepared to spend at least 50 percent more than what you would on a standard insurance policy.
“With more erratic weather and an aging infrastructure, meaning older dwellings with old pipes, insurance companies are very sensitive to water issues,” he added. As such, many insurers will require you to have water-flow cut-off switches on higher-value or renovated brownstones to limit water damage after a broken or frozen pipe incident. They may also want sump pumps with back-ups.
Although FEMA flood coverage is almost always available, it can be expensive. The cost also varies widely depending on elevation and distance from potential water sources, Schneider said.
Standard insurers tend to shy away from the coast even though they do not provide flood coverage. According to Schneider, some companies will no longer cover homes within 2,500 feet of the shore, “especially if you are on the water side of the BQE,” as they are concerned about wind and big storms, like Hurricane Sandy, where it is not always clear whether flooding or wind-driven rain did the damage.
You may still be able to get standard fire, theft, and wind coverage, “but your choices may be limited and that’s something to be aware of,” Schneider noted.
10) Property taxes are the silver lining
Now for the good news: Brownstone owners get a break on property taxes because one- to three-family houses are in a different tax class than co-ops and condos. Generally speaking, NYC property taxes are also lower than those in the suburbs.
And as Barton Barrett sees it, you can put these tax savings—and any rental income—toward increasing the level of services and quality-of-life features in your bespoke brownstone home.
—Earlier versions of this article contained reporting and writing by Leonara Desar.
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Sales slowed month-over-month to an annualized rate of 4 million homes sold this year, according to a new report released Thursday by NAR.
Barron Hilton is son of Rick Hilton, a cofounder of Hilton & Hyland, who cofounded the Hilton Hilton brokerage a few years ago with his father and wife, Tessa. Now, the couple will start a team at Compass.
The legal teams at multiple listing services (MLS) have been getting quite the workout over the past few years, first with the commission lawsuits and more recently with lawsuits related to Realtor association membership and MLS access.
Given these circumstances MLSs are naturally looking for ways to lower their legal risk portfolio, with “derisking” being a hot topic of conversation at the Council of MLSs’ (CMLS) Open House conference in Toronto.
As MLSs comb through their operations and policies for risks and liabilities, legal experts say MLSs should focus on the consumer friendliness of their platform and rules.
Consumer choice flexibility is key
“I think MLSs should look at their rules and policies and any rule or policy that is not consumer friendly, they should consider addressing it ASAP,” Justin Haag, the president and CEO of Northwest MLS (NWMLS), told attendees at CMLS Open House.
Charlie Lee, the senior counsel and director of legal affairs at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), agrees that consumer friendliness is key.
“Consumer choice flexibility is key,” Lee said. “Ensure that your participants and subscribers understand how your policies work to provide consumer flexibility and are able to articulate that to their customers.”
Open the MLS to non-Realtors
But consumers are not the only ones who MLSs should be thinking about providing options for. With increased scrutiny on the tying of MLS access to Realtor association membership in some markets, MLS leaders on stage at CMLS encouraged other MLS executives to seriously consider opening their MLS to non-Realtors.
Later this month, members of Kathy Elson’s Connecticut-based SmartMLS are voting on removing the Realtor member requirement from their non-Realtor affiliated MLS.
“The broker-owners and the head appraisers get it — they understand that agents want choice,” Elson, the CEO of SmartMLS, said. “But what we are finding is that people are completely clueless and that they don’t understand the difference between a licensee and a Realtor.”
In Louisville, Kentucky, Jerry Legrand, who serves as the chief technology officer of the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors/APEX MLS, said his MLS has been open to non-Realtor licensees for 25 years.
“We are wholly owned by the association, but we don’t have a lot of people taking us up on that option,” Legrand said. “It is great to have the choice, but MLSs need to be aware that subscribing to the MLS is only one part of that. What good is an MLS subscription if you can’t get into the property because you don’t have lockbox access or you can’t submit and offer because you can’t get access to forms?”
Legrand said his team is currently evaluating how it can provide APEX’s licensee-only subscribers with access to more tools and services so they can more effectively do their jobs.
The perfect storm
While many may be surprised by the recent uptick in interest reassessing policies and derisking, Tim Dain, the CEO of NorthstarMLS, believes the current environment has created the “perfect storm” for such interest.
“Typically when we wonder whether or not we need to update rules it is when there is a major shift in the legal landscape, major advancements in technology or continuous user feedback and I would say that all three of those things are happening in the industry right now,” Dain said.
Given the tumultuous nature of the current environment, Haag said MLSs need to be looking ahead when it comes to their rules.
“We do our best to be proactive and not reactive,” Haag said. “We try to look down the road and see what is coming and create rules and structure to address that. It isn’t always possible, but I think that is a reason why it is good the MLS business is nimble because we can act quickly and create rules for things that are happening right now.”
In the same vein, CMLS Open House speakers encouraged MLS leaders to take their own initiative to evaluate and assess their existing rules portfolio.
The time is now to assess your rules
“In my experience, we tend to shelve our rules and only really modify them when something is provided to us by NAR or CMLS, and I challenge each of your in this room to stop waiting for someone to hand you rules or give your permission to revisit your policies,” Nicole Jensen, the CEO of realMLS, said.
Instead of just inserting language provided by NAR or another association into existing rules, Jensen encouraged MLS executives to take a hard look at how proposed policies fit in with their local marketplace, and adjust their policies to fit their current environment.
As MLSs look to retool and revamp their policies, Jessica Hickok, the CEO of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) encouraged MLS leaders to engage with their state regulators to ensure they are aligned on MLS policy objectives.
“The best thing that an MLS can do is engage with a state regulator or state regulatory body,” Hickok said. “Contact them and talk to them about what your goals are, what the state standards are, and how those align.”
In doing this assessment, Hickok said special attention should be paid to how things impact consumers and where outcomes rank that may bring harm to consumers.
While MLSs may want to shy away from rule making in the face of legal liability, MLS leaders and legal experts said that the right rules are necessary to create a fair marketplace.
“MLSs need to harken back to their origin and creation. Without the MLS it would be the Wild West,” Lee said. “Realtors created the MLS because they thought it would be good for the marketplace. The MLS represents an invitation for brokers and agents to participate in cooperation because it is going to help facilitate the most significant transaction a consumer engages in.
“At NAR, we are working toward providing a framework where MLSs continue to provide accuracy, reliability, transparency, and an equal playing field that is agnostic toward business models, business practices and serve the consumers.”
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has extended the timeline for mortgage servicers to comply with the new loss-mitigation waterfall, according to a mortgagee letter issued Wednesday.
While the provisions may be implemented by Oct. 1, they must be fully in place no later than Dec. 30, 2025, according to the letter signed by Frank Cassidy, the principal deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The letter also introduces “minor changes” to facilitate implementation of servicing and loss-mitigation requirements, aligning the updates with broader goals of supporting homeownership and safeguarding HUD’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMIF) to protect taxpayer dollars.
The FHA initially announced a replacement for the COVID-19-era loss-mitigation waterfall in April, setting an Oct. 1 deadline for servicers to adopt the new framework. Pandemic-era tools were implemented on an emergency basis and were never intended as permanent features of the waterfall, the agency said.
But many of these provisions have persisted for years. Under the Trump administration, FHA said that this continuation increased risks to its programs.
“FHA’s prior failure to definitively sunset the COVID-19 emergency loss mitigation ‘waterfall’ has increased risk in the MMIF, hurt taxpayers, set up many FHA borrowers for failure and enabled other FHA borrowers to abuse the current process,” FHA said in its announcement of the waterfall.
The FHA’s budget is funded through fees collected from borrowers and lenders, not government appropriations. These fees support the MMIF, which achieved a capital reserve ratio of 11.47% as of Sept. 30, 2024, up roughly 0.9 percentage points from 2023.
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Former Fitzroy footballer Trent Cummings is kicking off Grand Final weekend with a big play of his own, putting his family’s luxury Aberfeldie home on the market just as his old club, now the Brisbane Lions, chases back-to-back premiership glory.
The 42 Batman St, Aberfeldie home has been the Cummings family’s base for more than a decade.
It is hoped to fetch $2.5m-$2.7m.
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“We built this place so we could come together – the theatre room, the kitchen hub, the pool pavilion, they’ve all been about family,” Cummings said.
“It’s bittersweet to leave, but we’re excited about the next chapter.”
At the heart of the home is a poolside entertaining pavilion, modelled on a Fijian buree following a family holiday.
With its pitched roof, built-in barbecue, bar and outdoor television, it has been the scene of countless gatherings, framed by a sparkling tiled pool and manicured gardens.
Indoors, a cinema-style theatre room has been the family’s most cherished retreat.
“You close the big door and pull the blinds and it feels like a real movie theatre, that’s where we’ve spent some of our best nights together,” he said.
The entertainer’s kitchen features marble benchtops, pendant lighting and a walk-in pantry, while multiple living areas flow seamlessly to the outdoor area.
Upstairs bedrooms and a study with custom joinery deliver family flexibility, while bathrooms with freestanding tubs and twin vanities underscore the home’s luxury appeal.
Cummings said footy has taught him what it takes to adapt and reinvent.
A top-10 draft pick in 1993, he played 29 AFL games with Fitzroy and West Coast before serious knee injuries cut short his career at age 23.
“At Fitzroy we didn’t even have a home ground, we trained at Coburg, Waverley, Lakeside and Princes Park,” he said.
“That experience made me value stability and belonging, and I think that’s why creating a proper home became so important later in life.”
After football, Cummings built a high-level corporate career with PwC, EY and ANZ before co-founding RE4ORM, a pioneering recycling venture tackling synthetic turf waste.
“From footy to finance to now running an environmental business, home has always been my reset point,” he said.
“It’s where you recharge, where you feel safe, and where you set yourself to go again.”
Cummings said Aberfeldie has provided that grounding.
“It feels like a country town in the city,” he said.
“You’ve got the bowls club, the football ground, the river walks, it’s all here, and the community is brilliant.
“People settle here for 20 years or more, it’s one of those suburbs you never want to leave.”
The timing of the sale has lined up neatly with the Lions’ Grand Final charge against Geelong this weekend.
“They’ve embraced the Fitzroy heritage brilliantly — the jumpers, the past players, everything,” he said.
“As a proud former Roy, I’ll be cheering hard for them on Saturday.”
The family is now moving to a property near Moorooduc Winery on the Mornington Peninsula, trading the inner north for a “country retreat with land, gardens and animals”.
“It’s sad to leave Aberfeldie, but we’re looking forward to the next step and creating a new home,” Cummings said.
The Batman St home goes to auction on October 18.
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david.bonaddio@news.com.au
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ANALYSIS
If you thought buying a house in Australia meant spending upwards of a million dollars, think again.
New PropTrack data has revealed dozens of regional towns across the country where homes are still selling for under $300,000, including one location with a rock star connection.
Bear in mind, Australia’s cheapest markets are priced that way for a reason. They may have a lack of demand from other buyers due to falling population, a lack of employment opportunities, or because a nearby mine has closed down.
But if a cheap house is what you’re after, there are 43 suburbs across the nation that fit under that $300,000 price bracket.
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The most affordable market is in the outback South Australian town of Coober Pedy, where the median house price is just $77,500. Known for its opal mines and underground homes built to escape the desert heat, the town remains the cheapest place in the nation to buy.
From there, the bargains stretch across various states. Charleville, in Queensland’s outback, has a median of $165,000, while houses in Coonamble in western NSW change hands for around $170,000. Tasmania’s Queenstown and Rosebery, both mining towns on the west coast, have house medians of $180,000 and $188,000 respectively.
One of the best-known cheap housing markets is Broken Hill in far-west NSW. The former mining town has long been popular with tree-changers and artists, with 464 houses selling in the past year at a median of $200,000.
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Other regional centres with strong turnover include Whyalla Stuart in SA (175 houses sold, median $208,000) and Port Augusta (206 sales, $258,750). Mining hubs like Blackwater in Queensland and Roxby Downs in SA also featured, with prices in the mid-$200,000s.
One town on the list with a touch of celebrity is Condobolin in central NSW, where the median is $232,500. The town is famously the hometown of singer Shannon Noll, who shot to fame on Australian Idol in 2003.
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Other towns of historic note include Longreach (home of Qantas’ first hangar, $250,000 median), Townsville ($260,000), and Qld gold rush town Clermont ($280,000).
For investors, the appeal of these towns lies not only in price but in rental yields, which often outperform metro markets. With medians under $300,000, towns like Ingham in North Queensland ($290,000), Wellington in NSW’s Orana region ($295,000), and St Arnaud ($290,000) in northwest Victoria, have rental yields at 7 per cent or higher, making them positively geared for investors.
43 suburbs below $300,000 median for houses
| Suburb | State | Number Sold 12 months | House median |
| Coober Pedy | SA | 38 | $77,500 |
| Kambalda East | WA | 30 | $165,000 |
| Charleville | QLD | 69 | $165,000 |
| Coonamble | NSW | 43 | $170,000 |
| Peterborough | SA | 34 | $172,500 |
| Collinsville | QLD | 72 | $179,500 |
| Queenstown | TAS | 40 | $180,000 |
| Rosebery | TAS | 31 | $188,000 |
| Kambalda West | WA | 68 | $195,000 |
| Broken Hill | NSW | 464 | $200,000 |
| Port Pirie West | SA | 69 | $200,000 |
| Tara | QLD | 45 | $200,000 |
| Whyalla Stuart | SA | 175 | $208,000 |
| Warracknabeal | VIC | 56 | $215,000 |
| Condobolin | NSW | 50 | $232,500 |
| Cloncurry | QLD | 59 | $235,000 |
| Dysart | QLD | 87 | $239,000 |
| Whyalla Norrie | SA | 163 | $243,000 |
| Ceduna | SA | 35 | $245,000 |
| Blackwater | QLD | 129 | $245,000 |
| Moura | QLD | 58 | $247,500 |
| Barraba | NSW | 37 | $250,000 |
| Longreach | QLD | 62 | $250,000 |
| Wee Waa | NSW | 49 | $250,000 |
| Hay | NSW | 43 | $250,000 |
| Roxby Downs | SA | 63 | $252,000 |
| Dimboola | VIC | 44 | $252,500 |
| Sunset | QLD | 38 | $257,000 |
| Port Augusta | SA | 206 | $258,750 |
| Nhill | VIC | 43 | $260,000 |
| Charters Towers City | QLD | 90 | $260,000 |
| Merredin | WA | 71 | $265,000 |
| Nyngan | NSW | 33 | $270,000 |
| Cobar | NSW | 92 | $272,500 |
| Home Hill | QLD | 46 | $275,000 |
| Clermont | QLD | 71 | $280,000 |
| Mount Morgan | QLD | 71 | $285,000 |
| Ingham | QLD | 78 | $290,000 |
| St Arnaud | VIC | 44 | $290,000 |
| Soldiers Hill | QLD | 50 | $292,000 |
| Wellington | NSW | 100 | $295,000 |
| Wagin | WA | 47 | $295,000 |
| Monto | QLD | 38 | $295,000 |
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The view from the rooftop at ‘Upper House’ in South Brisbane. Picture: Supplied
A luxury Brisbane apartment tower inspired by the iconic Moreton Bay fig was named the Australian Development of the Year at the Property Council of Australia’s Innovation & Excellence Awards in Sydney last night.
‘Upper House’ by Queensland developer Aria is a 188-unit development in South Brisbane and the state’s first 5-Star Green Star As-Built residential building.
The project won the Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year award, the Best Residential Development award and the Best Public Art award for the ‘bloodlines weaving string and water’ piece Judy Watson at the annual event.
Designed by Koichi Takada Architects, ‘Upper House’ features a twisted form, LED ribbon lighting, a curated art collection, Australia’s first double-storey rooftop club and the world’s largest timber pergola.
There is a concierge service, a rooftop infinity pool, a private cinema, a wellness centres and executive workspaces, as well as smart systems, EV-ready infrastructure and solar power.
‘Upper House’ in South Brisbane features luxury and sustainable elements. Picture: Supplied
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Queensland Property Council executive director, Jess Caire said the development set a new standard in Queensland.
“Upper House sets a new benchmark in sustainability, design, and delivery,” she said.
“It’s a masterclass in how elegance and environmental performance can coexist.
“Built on a tight inner-city site during a challenging period for high density development, ‘Upper House’ is a testament to Aria’s commitment to precision, creativity, and resilience.
“Every detail has been considered from the sculptural form inspired by Moreton Bay fig trees to the seamless integration of public art and green space.”
Jess Caire, Queensland Property Council executive director. Picture: Supplied
Aria founder and managing director, Tim Forrester said the award was the culmination of decades of teamwork.
“We are deeply honoured with this recognition by the Property Council and the property development industry and sincerely thank everyone who has been part of this journey,” he said.
“This achievement highlights the collaborative spirit and dedication of our team, partners and stakeholders who have made ‘Upper House’ a success, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to this iconic project.
“We would like to make a special mention of our visionary architect, Koichi Takada for challenging us to deliver a development with several worlds’ firsts, and a degree of complexity rarely encountered.”
Other Queensland winners at the awards were Gateway@Murarrie, in the Best Business or Industrial Park category, Tulmur Place – Nicholas Street Precinct, in the Best Public Building or Social Infrastructure category and 443 Queen St, in the Best Sustainable Development – Residential category.
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