Torbreck home units, Residential building in Highgate Hill, Brisbane, Australia.
Torbreck is a residential complex in Highgate Hill composed of two sections: an eight-story garden block and a fourteen-story tower at 182 Dornoch Terrace. The property houses roughly 150 apartments ranging from single rooms to penthouses, many with views toward Brisbane city and the Great Dividing Range.
The complex was built between 1958 and 1960 and marked Queensland's first high-rise residential development. It employed innovative lift-slab construction methods for the garden block, establishing a technical approach that influenced future high-rise projects in the region.
The complex introduced features that became new standards for how people expected to live in Queensland, including private garages and modern conveniences in every home. These innovations shaped residential expectations and influenced how apartment living was perceived in the region.
Access to the grounds is from Dornoch Terrace, where visitor parking is available nearby. The gardens and swimming pool are visible from many vantage points, though some areas may have restricted access.
The grounds feature garden design inspired by California, with mature palms and manicured landscaping surrounding a large swimming pool. This type of landscaping was uncommon for high-rise complexes in 1950s Australia and gives the property a distinctly different character.
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