Apartment Plan Now Targets Site Once Eyed for Childcare Centre at 46–50 Racecourse Road

A Hamilton address once proposed for a childcare centre that would have cared for 98 children is now part of a plan for 29 apartments on Racecourse Road.



Hamilton Today previously reported on a plan for a childcare centre at 50 Racecourse Road. It covered a 618.8-square-metre block, would have replaced the house standing there, and was under council assessment at the time. The centre was designed by Red Door Architecture and included a basement car park with 10 spaces.

Now the same address sits inside a much larger proposal.

What Fortis Wants to Build

Racecourse Road
Photo Credit: DA A007111048

The plans were lodged in September and show a five-storey building designed by DKO Architecture. Buyers would choose from six two-bedroom apartments, 22 three-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom home. According to a design statement, the look borrows from traditional Queenslanders, with deep balconies, sliding screens and planter boxes. It also aims to respect the neighbouring St Augustine’s Anglican Church and the nearby Hamilton Town Hall.

Cafes, a Rooftop and Underground Parking

Street level would hold three retail tenancies, covering 268 square metres inside and another 71 square metres of outdoor dining. They are earmarked for food, drink and boutique shops. Up top, a 488-square-metre rooftop deck would have a pool, a sauna, a gym and a private dining pavilion. Two basement levels would hold 75 car spaces and 35 bicycle spaces.

What About the Price?

Racecourse Road
Photo Credit: DA A007111048

No prices have been released for the new building. Fortis is also behind Lynsford, across the road at 53 Racecourse Road. That project is approved and being sold off the plan, with three-bedroom homes advertised from $3.45 million. Hamilton Today has reported that submissions on an earlier version of the Lynsford plans raised the church’s heritage setting and traffic on Racecourse Road.



A Busy Stretch

Racecourse Road keeps filling up with proposals. Graya began construction on its The Gallery project at 63 to 71 Racecourse Road in June, and The Urban Developer reports 25 of its 48 apartments have sold. Fortis is separately behind a plan to turn a former aged care facility in New Farm into high-end homes.

For now, the Hamilton proposal is with Brisbane City Council.

Published Date 30-September-2026

Hamilton Retail Strip to Make Way for Luxury Apartment Development

A retail strip at 53 Racecourse Road in Hamilton will be demolished to make way for a new four-storey apartment complex featuring 12 luxury residences and ground-floor retail outlets.



Redevelopment Plans Progress

The 1205-square-metre site, located five kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, currently houses seven small businesses, including restaurants and cafés. Developer Fortis has gained approval for a residential-led mixed-use project designed by Koichi Takada Architects, marking a new stage in the ongoing transformation of Racecourse Road.

The development will include 12 apartments—three two-bedroom and nine three-bedroom—above 528 square metres of ground-level retail space. Facilities include a rooftop pool, spa, gym, and landscaped recreation areas.

Hamilton apartment development
Photo Credit: Fortis

Heritage Influence and Design

The project’s design incorporates terracotta-toned brickwork and cascading greenery. The drawing inspiration came from nearby heritage sites such as St Augustine’s Church and Hamilton Town Hall. The landscaped plan retains poinciana trees and introduces new vegetation across the podium and rooftop levels.

Vehicle access will be via Balowrie Street, with two basement levels providing 33 resident spaces, 4 visitor bays, and 7 retail staff parks.

Brisbane apartments
Photo Credit: Fortis

Precinct Renewal

The Hamilton development contributes to the broader revitalisation of Racecourse Road, where similar mixed-use projects are approved at 63 and 77 Racecourse Road. Residents have expressed a mix of support and concern about the visual fit of the new design within the established streetscape.

Next Steps



The approval marks a milestone for Fortis, which is also redeveloping a former aged care facility in New Farm into high-end residences. Construction timelines for the Hamilton project have not yet been announced, but the development signals continued reinvestment in one of Brisbane’s most recognisable retail strips.

Published 25-Oct-2025