Project Contact
Brendan Gaffney
Ashleigh Sullivan
Cassie Ng
Darren Phan
Elle Trevorrow
Ker-Hong Ngu
Shayne Dyer
Zac Chapman
Journal Garden Place
Brisbane, Queensland

Rising 32 levels above 240 Margaret Street, Journal Garden Place redefines student living as a premium experience. Featuring 952 beds and a striking subtropical design, this purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sets a new benchmark for high-density living in Brisbane’s vibrant inner city.
Delivered by Multiplex for Citiplan and Brookfield Asset Management under the Journal Student Living banner, Garden Place offers the ultimate inner-city lifestyle, seamlessly integrating students—many from overseas—into the vibrant energy of Brisbane’s CBD. With the city’s best restaurants, cafés, green spaces, and parklands just steps away, it provides an authentic and immersive urban experience. Beyond its prime location, Garden Place fosters a strong sense of community through thoughtfully designed social and recreational spaces, creating a dynamic village atmosphere where students can connect, unwind, and thrive.
Brendan Gaffney, COX Director
We responded directly to the client’s brief that called for a high level of green open space amenity, and a variety of generous communal offerings exceeding the norm for this typology. The design embraces the sub-tropical character of Brisbane, truly emblematic of ‘the garden place.’


COX has strategically dedicated 150% of the site area to open space, featuring an activated green podium with a layered façade. Communal spaces—including a gym, study areas, library, cinema, café, and retail outlets—are interconnected across multiple podium levels, fostering a sense of ‘home away from home’. Clustering these spaces within the podium was an intentional consideration that allows direct over-viewing of the street below, improving pedestrian safety in the local Margaret Street precinct.
The podium design also integrates interlocking voids, natural light passages, amphitheatres, and sculptural stairs to encourage movement and interaction. Its fluid forms, reflecting the presence of the nearby City Botanic Gardens and Brisbane River, extend greenery upward from street level to the sky terrace, reinforcing the subtropical theme.


The crowning element of the tower celebrates resident amenity with a generous outdoor recreation terrace featuring luxuriant integrated planting. The sweeping fluid forms of the lower levels reappear in the ‘city-scale’ shade pergola, complemented by dense subtropical greenery. Shaded pockets of seating offer students stunning views of the City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Inspired by the cliffs’ gold, fawn, and ochre tones, the tower’s colour palette subtly connects it to the surrounding landscape.



Sustainability is a key focus of Garden Place, achieving a 5-Star Green Building Council Australia (GBSA) Green Star rating. The design addresses longevity, quality of materials, and continued activation, ensuring the building remains attractive for future students.
Journal Garden Place is poised to set a new standard for purpose-built student accommodation in Brisbane, offering a high-quality, sustainable, and community-focused living environment.
