A development application has been lodged for a 15 storey residential tower at 16 to 18 Sandford Street in St Lucia, proposing a boutique riverfront project comprising 22 large format apartments.

The proposal, known as Silk, has been designed and will be delivered by GRAYA, with the project targeting downsizers seeking larger, long term residences within Brisbane’s inner west.

The site occupies a prominent bend along the Brisbane River, with northern facing views across Orleigh Park toward the CBD. Planning documents indicate the development would comprise a single tower with four basement levels, ground level communal space, and a rooftop recreation area.

GRAYA Director Rob Gray said the project responds to a shift in buyer expectations within the premium apartment market.

What we’re seeing now is a clear shift toward larger, more permanent residences that offer the scale and privacy of a private home

“Buyers in this market are not looking for typical apartment product, they’re seeking longevity, design quality and a sense of permanence.”

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According to planning documents, the site sits within the High Density Residential Zone under Brisbane City Plan 2014, which anticipates development of between 9 and 15 storeys in well located areas close to transport and key activity centres.

The development has been designed as a single tower outcome, stepping down from higher built form in nearby Toowong while maintaining a strong relationship with the river frontage.

GRAYA has framed the project as part of a broader strategy targeting tightly held riverfront sites, noting the limited supply of comparable locations across Brisbane.

“True riverfront opportunities in St Lucia are exceptionally scarce and increasingly difficult to replicate,” Gray said.

At ground level, a landscaped entry connects Sandford Street to a residential lobby, gym, and communal open space that extends toward the river edge. Deep planting and landscaped setbacks have been incorporated to soften the interface with the Brisbane River and surrounding properties.

The rooftop level has been designed as a dedicated resident retreat, incorporating a mix of recreational and wellness-focused amenities oriented toward the Brisbane River and city skyline. Plans indicate the space would include a swimming pool and spa, alongside outdoor dining and barbecue facilities, lounge areas, and landscaped zones suitable for passive recreation and yoga.

The layout prioritises open outlooks and privacy, with planting integrated throughout to soften the built form and create a more residential, resort-style environment at the uppermost level of the building. Architectural plans indicate four basement levels below ground accommodating building services and parking.

The apartments are configured as larger dwellings, including eight two bedroom and fourteen three bedroom residences, each with substantial balconies ranging between approximately 24m² and 49m². These outdoor spaces are oriented toward the river and city views.

According to the architect GRAYA, the building form draws from the movement of water, with curved elements and layered façades intended to reflect river dynamics. The design incorporates sandstone materials in response to the local character of St Lucia, alongside integrated planting throughout the façade and communal areas.

Landscaping plays a significant role in the proposal, with over 50 percent of the site dedicated to planting, including deep planting zones along the river boundary and vertical greenery throughout the building.