Off-the-Plan Sales Launched for $22 Million Ultra-Luxury Project ‘Vellora’ Set to Redefine Luxury Living in Brisbane’s St Lucia
- Written by: The Times
A new standard of architectural distinction and elevated living is taking shape in one of Brisbane’s most coveted riverside suburbs, with off-the-plan sales officially launching for Vellora last night at an exclusive buyers’ event at The Powerhouse in Brisbane.
Vellora, an over $22 million residential project comprising five ultra-luxury homes in the heart of St Lucia, is positioned to meet growing demand among affluent individuals and ‘rightsizing’ empty nesters seeking lavish living without compromise.
Developed by Gurbir Sidhu and designed by the globally revered architect Rafael Contreras, Co- founder of Contreras Earl Architecture, Vellora is perched atop one of St Lucia’s highest points with 180-degree vantage points and uninterrupted city views.
Each of the five exclusive homes is over 300sqm in size, comprises four expansive levels and features private elevators, three bedrooms, a study, two-and-a-half bathrooms and three-car lock up garage.
The jewel in the crown for each residence is a private rooftop retreat complete with a plunge pool and garden terrace.
Vellora developer, Gurbir Sidhu, said the project was born from a clear vision to elevate Brisbane’s prestige property market with an architectural icon in one of its most coveted suburbs.
“We knew that St Lucia’s prestige market was ready for something truly world-class and a new benchmark that blends timeless design with opulence, privacy and liveability,” said Mr Sidhu.
“From the private rooftops to the carefully curated interiors, every element of Vellora has been considered through the lens of the end user — well-heeled, design-savvy buyers looking for a private residence with generous proportions, luxury inclusions, and a prestigious address in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held suburbs.”
Vellora represents a rare and refined offering in Brisbane’s high-end owner-occupier market, with residences starting from $4.5 million.
Designed by Contreras Earl Architecture, the project marks the latest visionary venture from Mr Contreras, whose global design credentials include years within the elite and internationally acclaimed design studio of Zaha Hadid Architects in London.
The firm has since made its mark locally through several landmark Australian projects, including 272 Hedges Avenue in Mermaid Beach, Amani at Main Beach, The Lanes Residences on the Gold Coast, and Australia’s first air taxi vertiport with Skyportz — a project already drawing global attention.
Known for an architectural ethos that sculpts form directly from the site’s context, the studio brings a deeply integrated approach to Vellora — where architecture, landscape, and urban connection are inseparable.
According to Contreras, Vellora was conceived as a ‘living sculpture’, a contemporary structure seamlessly embedded into its natural context.
“We approached the design as if carving a monolithic form – a rock formation emerging organically from the land,” said Mr Contreras.
“It was about striking a balance between solidity and openness. The volumes were shaped and refined to open up views, light, and ventilation, while maintaining privacy and a sense of permanence.”
The architecture actively responds to the site’s topography and surrounding residential fabric, with each residence oriented to preserve view corridors while also providing a considered outlook from neighbouring vantage points, which is a nod to the project's integration with its community.
One of the most innovative aspects of Vellora’s design is its “fifth facade”, a term used by Contreras to describe the carefully articulated rooftops that are visible from nearby elevated homes. Rather than treating the roofscape as a utilitarian element, Contreras elevated it to a defining design feature.
“When viewed from above, you don’t just see a roof, you see a sculptural continuation of the building’s form,” said Mr Contreras.
“We wanted these homes to look just as striking from the air as they do from the street.”
Across the project, the material palette has been meticulously curated to evoke a sense of timeless elegance and cohesion that is at one with its natural surroundings. Natural stone forms the foundation of the interiors and continues across terraces, corridors and entryways to reinforce a unified spatial experience whilst optimising environmental performance.
The façade is defined by soft, sweeping curves and sculptural forms, deliberately moving away from rectilinear conventions to evoke a more organic architectural language. Arched windows reveal frame views and introduce visual softness, while cascading greenery and architectural landscaping blur the line between built and natural forms.
Planters are integrated across balconies, terraces and even through metal screening, ensuring privacy without sacrificing transparency.
“One of the core principles in our studio is elevation through nature. We believe architecture should grow from and respond to its environment – and Vellora is a perfect expression of that ethos,” said Mr Contreras
With just five residences on offer, Mr Gurbir Sidhu says Vellora presents an incredibly rare opportunity in the tightly held St Lucia market, one of Brisbane’s most sought-after blue-chip suburbs.
“Offering house-sized proportions and a suite of luxury inclusions, the development is designed to appeal to discerning buyers who want the best of both worlds – the prestige of a standalone home, with the low-maintenance lifestyle of an exclusive boutique development,” said Mr Gurbir Sidhu.
Vellora was revealed in style at an exclusive buyers’ event held at The Powerhouse on Tuesday, 27 May, where attendees were treated to never-before-seen renders and floorplans and heard firsthand from Mr Contreras and Mr Gurbir about what sets this extraordinary development apart.
Early site works are already underway, with construction due to commence in two months’ time. Completion is anticipated in mid-2026.
Off the plan sales have officially launched and are being managed by Property Collective Agency.
For more information or to register interest, visit https://www.vellorastlucia.com/
