Fortitude Valley Growth Plan Targets Taller Towers, More Housing Near Train Station

Fortitude Valley residents will see taller buildings rise around the train station and along Wickham, Ann and Brunswick streets under a precinct plan Brisbane City Council is advancing ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. The Fortitude Valley Sustainable Growth Precinct Plan aims to unlock housing diversity by allowing higher building heights in targeted zones, a shift the council describes as an ‘up, not out’ strategy for the inner suburb.

What the policy changes for local residents

The plan zeroes in on areas close to the Fortitude Valley train station, where increased height limits could reshape the skyline. For people living or working in the Valley, the changes mean more apartments are likely to be built in the core retail and transport corridor rather than spreading into quieter side streets. The council says the approach is designed to concentrate growth where infrastructure already exists, including public transport and existing utilities.

Separately, the Miles Government is evaluating the government-owned Ivory Street site in Fortitude Valley for a large-scale redevelopment that would include social, affordable and supportive housing. That project, still in the assessment phase, could add a significant number of lower-cost homes to a market where rents have climbed sharply in recent years. No timeline has been set for a decision.

Build-to-rent projects already under construction

Developer EG Funds Management has secured approval for two towers that will deliver 551 apartments on a Valley site. The project splits the units between 326 build-to-rent and 225 build-to-sell homes, giving renters long-term lease options alongside traditional ownership stock. The company says the mix responds to a growing demand for rental stability in the inner city.

The build-to-rent push extends beyond EG Funds. Three developments under the state’s $70 million Build-to-Rent Pilot Project are contracted to deliver approximately 1,200 apartments, with construction already commenced on projects in Fortitude Valley. Those homes are expected to enter the market over the next two to three years, adding rental supply that could ease competition for existing units.

For current residents, the immediate effect is construction activity and traffic changes near building sites, particularly around the train station precinct. Longer-term, the combined effect of the council’s height plan and the government’s Ivory Street evaluation points to a denser, more diverse housing stock in Fortitude Valley, more apartments overall, and more of them set aside for renters at below-market rates.