‘Glenfalloch’

Did you know Brisbane has a “hidden valley”? Right here in New Farm, Glenfalloch Apartments stand tall. Glenfalloch takes its name from the Gaelic “gleann-falaich,” meaning “hidden valley”. This isn’t just any apartment building. Glenfalloch is a heritage-listed modernist marvel completed in 1962. It was designed by the renowned firm Lund, Hutton, Newell, Black and Paulsen. It boasts the title of Brisbane’s second residential high-rise and a remarkable achievement in Southern Hemisphere construction. Glenfalloch was the first completely prefabricated concrete residential high-rise in this half of the world. Imagine the innovation involved in creating this fifteen-story structure back then. Glenfalloch cost a hefty £750,000 to build. The architects cleverly designed Glenfalloch with a north-facing orientation. This wasn’t for the river views, but rather to maximize solar benefits. The building’s long, thin design and lack of east or west-facing windows further enhance its passive heating and cooling capabilities. This makes Glenfalloch passively cool in summer and warm in winter. The majority of the 98 units, primarily two-bedroom apartments, overlook New Farm. Penthouses grace the top, while one-bedroom units flank the sides. Glenfalloch sits on a generous plot of land. A surprising 60% of it is dedicated to gardens and outdoor living space, extending down towards the river. This green oasis was designed by renowned landscape architect Arne Fink. He was a pioneer in incorporating native plants into residential landscapes. The garden itself cost around £1,500, a testament to its thoughtful design. Glenfalloch has even weathered Brisbane’s notorious floods, including the major events of 1974 and 2011. A specially devised flood deflection barrier system, combined with strategically placed sandbags, protected the lower-level apartments. Glenfalloch is a testament to innovative design. It stands as a unique blend of architectural ingenuity and natural harmony in the heart of Brisbane.