Just five kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, a landmark residential community has recently been built on the historical PGH-owned brickworks site, which was once home to the PGH brick site back in 1965 and produced some of the original PGH bricks that shaped the local community.
Brickworks Park combines townhouses and apartments with generous shared amenities, striking a careful balance between modern living and the site’s industrial heritage.
The project team, led by Brisbane Builders with architects and developers CDL Australia, engaged CSR to supply façade solutions that could deliver both performance and enduring aesthetic appeal. PGH bricks became central to the design vision, chosen not only for their aesthetic appeal, but for their durability and connection to the history of the site.
Some original bricks produced almost a century ago on the very same ground were carefully incorporated into the entry statement building. This detail created a tangible link to the past, grounding the development in its unique story.
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A vision tied to the chimney
Federico Keil, Development Manager at CDL Australia, explains that the design was always intended to reflect the site’s heritage. “The idea of the design was always to link it back to the brickworks chimney,” he says. “That’s where a lot of the design and the aesthetics of the buildings came from and we’ve always tried to tie that back in, not just in the external design, but in the interiors and even the marketing.”
The heritage-listed chimney still stands tall as a visual anchor on the Alderley skyline, a true feature of the site and the architectural response sought to complement it. Forms and rooflines were inspired by the shapes of bricks, while the choice of materials ensured continuity between the new community and the historic site. The inclusion of some original bricks in the entry statement underscored this vision, embedding history within the fabric of the new neighbourhood.
Brickworks Park Gallery
Creating a community, not just residences
Keil notes that the goal was more than simply delivering housing. The idea was to create a master planned community just five kilometres from the CBD, a mix of apartments and townhouses with excellent recreational facilities and apartment layouts that seek to maximise liveability and enjoyment.
Beyond the residences, the development was designed with lifestyle front of mind creating a genuine community. Residents enjoy amenities more commonly associated with larger suburban homes, including a pool, gym, open green spaces, workshops, dog parks, arts and crafts areas, and even a half basketball court.
Finding the right material
For the residential towers, the design team selected PGH Black & Tan bricks after an extensive collaboration with architects, builders and CSR. “We went through a process to find the best performance and aesthetic solution, and we landed on PGH,” Keil recalls. “We really liked the black and tan of the bricks, which tied back to the brickworks chimney, but they also provided a really strong buildability solution.”
To ensure visual and material consistency, PGH Rockhampton bricks were also selected by Creation Homes in the adjoining retirement village townhouses, chosen for their durability and natural tones that sit comfortably within the surrounding streetscape.
The project team discovered that PGH itself had operated on the site during the 1980s. For Keil and his colleagues, this sealed the decision. “As soon as we found out, it was like, yep, tick, done,” he says. “It just made sense to use PGH. The history and connection were already there.”
Honouring the past, shaping the future
The project team have successfully woven meaningful heritage into a contemporary residential environment. The use of PGH bricks allowed the architecture to reflect the legacy of the brickworks while still meeting the demands of modern performance, sustainability and design.
With PGH bricks at the heart of its design, the development sets a benchmark for future urban communities, demonstrating that heritage and modernity can coexist in ways that are both authentic and inspiring.
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