Hamilton Reach turns 10

It took just a decade to transform a neglected stretch of land beside the Brisbane River and bordering the Royal Queensland Golf Club at Hamilton, into one of the city’s most elegant and sought-after waterfront communities.

The riverfront location just six kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD was acquired by Frasers Property in 2010 and within two years, 12 luxury Rothelowman-designed homes were built and ready to be occupied, with the very first Hamilton Reach residents moving in around late 2012.

The first of 12 stages to be developed within Hamilton Reach, Green Quarter set a stunning new standard for premium riverfront living, going on to win the Queensland Urban Development Institute’s Excellence Award for Environmentally Sustainable Development in 2014, the first of many awards to be won by this premium community.

Today the 2.5ha Hamilton Reach neighbourhood—the compact apex of a much bigger urban renewal project masterplanned by the Queensland State Government agency Economic Development Queensland—is home to a tightknit community of more than 1100 residents, with freehold homes, terraces, and apartments set amongst a verdant oasis of parks, gardens, and waterfront landscape.

Ensuring a diverse and high-quality outcome across the community, each new stage passes through a rigorous design process, where architects pitch their vision, and the best designs are selected.

Development Director, Jamisen Rivera, says that Hamilton Reach presented Frasers Property with a rare opportunity to establish a socially vibrant riverside community blessed with ample lifestyle amenity and public domain in a secluded haven away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

“From the beginning, our vision for Hamilton Reach has always been to deliver a design-driven community that succeeds at connecting residents to their environment and each other through meticulous planning and considered placemaking,” says Jamisen.

That consideration is seen and experienced in a number of ways, from the neighborhood’s walkability, emphasis on high quality green spaces, local beach, and the casual, coastal-influenced dining available right on the river. Reclaimed timber from the old wharves have been integrated into the community’s sensory gardens and street furniture, while the arresting and award winning array of architecturally designed apartments and homes are oriented to catch the light and breezes off the river.

Friends within reach

Ask any of the residents of Hamilton Reach what its defining quality is, and they’re likely to tell you it’s the close community spirit of the neighbourhood. General Manager of Frasers Property Queensland, Scott Ullman, says that’s no accident either.

“The lifeblood of a place like Hamilton Reach is the people that call it home,” says Scott. “From the beginning, we have invested in events and programmes designed to bring residents together and create new neighbourhood connections. Ten years later, the best endorsement of that strategy is that the community now actively organises its own fundraisers, book clubs, and regular get togethers, without much intervention from us at all.”

Elisha Matthews has been a resident of Hamilton Reach since 2019. As the President of the Hamilton Reach Community Association, she can attest to the supportive nature of the people that live here.

“As a wheelchair user, I can’t always get by on my own,” says Elisha. “I’m grateful for the help and support of my neighbours, who are always reaching out to offer help. And it’s not just me. When one of my neighbours had major surgery recently, people pitched in to bring groceries, cook meals, and provide care. That’s just how it is here.”

The boutique nature of the community, combined with beautiful interconnecting public spaces, means that Hamilton Reach residents bump into each other regularly, building familiarity and encouraging new friendships.

“This is a pretty active community, so you’ll quite often run into neighbours down by the beach or in the park,” says Elisha. “I have made so many new friends from the people I see regularly in my building. Once you know everyone’s faces, no one is a stranger anymore. And I think even something as simple as that helps to create a much friendlier neighbourhood.”

A winning atmosphere

Don’t let the tranquillity of this stretch of the Brisbane River fool you; there’s a lot of excitement and activity set to come.

Last year, the Queensland Government announced that Northshore Hamilton will be the home of the Brisbane Athlete Village for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Athlete Village will be home to more than 15,000 athletes and team officials during the Games. In legacy mode the village will deliver housing supply across many key markets including private and affordable housing, build to rent, retirement, aged care and hotel / short term accommodation.

Pointing to the pioneering standard set by Hamilton Reach, Jamisen Rivera has high hopes for the long term success of the entire Northshore Hamilton precinct. “Hamilton Reach demonstrates the high standard of urban renewal that can be achieved when government, industry, and community come together, transforming what was once an industrial site into a place where many people aspire to live,” says Jamisen. “We’re excited to see what the future holds.”

Rivers Reach, the final absolute riverfront release at Hamilton Reach is under construction and will deliver 11 ultra-luxury freehold homes that have been snapped up by discerning buyers. Only two remain for sale, with completion due in the second half of 2023.

For more information on Hamilton Reach, call 13 38 38.