Proposed tower to smash height limits – and pickleballs – in inner Brisbane
A planned 28-storey tower hopes to push inner Brisbane’s skyline to new heights – and residents towards one of the nation’s fastest growing sports.
A prime corner block in Albion would be transformed into a mixed use 28-storey tower – close to three times above the current acceptable height for the area.
Plans have been lodged by Frank Developments for a 166-apartment tower, dubbed Avela, above a food and retail space and wellness hub that includes a public pickleball court.
At its tallest point, Avela’s rooftop would reach about 98 metres above the ground.
Under Brisbane City Council’s Albion neighbourhood plan, the land carries an acceptable height of just 10 storeys.
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But nearby developments have been approved to go much higher; the neighbouring Alba project is approved at 19 storeys. Across the river, Breakfast Creek Quarter is approved for 28 storeys.
The site sits at one of the busiest gateways in inner Brisbane, where Kingsford Smith Drive meets Amy Street and the Breakfast Creek Road bridge funnels traffic between the CBD and the airport.
It was previously reported that Frank Developments paid $16.5 million for the 60 Kingsford Smith Drive site in early 2026.
Designed by Melbourne architecture practice Kennon, the plans include a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments with terraces and one full-floor four-bedroom penthouse.
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It would also include parking for 252 cars across four basement levels, together with ground-floor spaces.
At ground level, the proposal incorporates two retail tenancies comprising a village-style grocer and a cafe.
Meanwhile, a level-one wellness floor would feature a gym, yoga room, sauna, spa, cold plunge, hydrotherapy pool, therapy rooms and a resident co-working space. It also holds a 437 square metre indoor pickleball court that would be open to the public as well as residents.
Once a niche sport played primarily in the United States, pickleball has exploded in popularity in Queensland in recent years. The game is a mix of multiple sports, including tennis, badminton and table tennis.
As the sport continues to boom, infrastructure across the state is expanding to meet demand – including the construction of a $250,000 pickleball facility in Brisbane’s east, which begins this week.
There are currently more than 25 purpose-built pickleball courts and dual-marked courts at parks across the city.
Brisbane City Council did not respond to questions by press time.
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