Adaptive Reuse Vision Draws Praise at Urban Developer Summit

Spring Hill project seen as a model for unlocking housing in Brisbane’s ageing office stock

A bold case study in adaptive reuse by Brisbane-based developer Chapter Two and architecture firm Cera Stribley took centre stage at last week’s The Urban Developer Queensland Residential Development Summit on Wednesday 30 April, drawing strong interest from peers, planners and policymakers alike.

Presented by Chapter Two Director Jon Quayle and Cera Stribley Managing Principal Dom Cerantonio, the session unpacked the transformation of a 1970s B-grade office tower on Wickham Terrace in Spring Hill into a collection of luxury residential apartments, including five full-floor residences and a two-level penthouse.

Quayle described the project as “a convergence of timing, location, and structure,” noting that while not every commercial asset is ripe for conversion, this particular building offered an ideal mix of column-free floorplates, abundant natural light, and elevated parkland views—"the right bones," he said, "for a meaningful reinvention."

Cerantonio detailed the design response, sharing before-and-after visuals and outlining the regulatory and structural challenges overcome to deliver a premium residential outcome. Notably, the team secured council support to exceed the zoned height limit, unlocking additional value and setting a precedent for similar projects.

The presentation sparked a wave of discussion around the role of adaptive reuse in addressing Brisbane’s housing shortage, particularly in inner-city locations where underperforming office assets continue to sit vacant.

“The interest and momentum we’ve seen off the back of this session show that the industry is hungry for real, buildable solutions,” Quayle said post-event. “Adaptive reuse won’t solve everything, but it’s an important part of the housing conversation in Brisbane.”

The Wickham Terrace project is currently progressing through final design documentation, with construction anticipated to begin in the second half of 2025.

Want a copy of the presentation? Contact hello@chapter-two.com.au