ARC Penthouse bureau^proberts and Spyre Group
Overlooking the Brisbane River, ARC Penthouse by bureau^proberts and Spyre Group offers a distinctive interpretation of elevated living. Occupying the uppermost levels of ARC Residences in Toowong, the home brings together expansive proportions, sculptural materiality and an enduring connection to its riverside setting.
Brisbane’s relationship with its river has evolved considerably over time, from a working waterway to one of the city’s most desirable residential settings. For Dan Liddy, partner and project design director at bureau^proberts, this history was central to the architectural response. The ambition was to create a residence that felt distinctly connected to its location while establishing a new benchmark for penthouse living.
Throughout the interiors, a cohesive material language reinforces the relationship between the building’s external expression and the spaces within.
With a generous 65-metre site frontage, the design team was afforded an unusual degree of spatial freedom. The resulting penthouse spans two levels, each with approximately 50 metres of river-facing frontage, creating the experience of a private home in the sky. However, the site’s position beside one of Brisbane’s busiest roads required careful consideration of privacy, exposure and orientation.
Rather than allowing the scale to dictate the design, bureau^proberts approached the planning through a series of fundamental questions around light, views and everyday functionality. Living, kitchen and entertaining spaces occupy the northern and eastern corners, capturing the morning sun and expansive outlook across the river. “You’ve got to design to your considerations around you,” Liddy says, reflecting on the importance of establishing a clear architectural direction.
The façade responds to seasonal conditions, welcoming warmth in winter while mitigating excessive solar gain during summer.
Throughout the interiors, a cohesive material language reinforces the relationship between the building’s external expression and the spaces within. Fluted cabinetry, sculptural stone and a statement kitchen island introduce texture and depth, while an executive office provides a further opportunity to explore craftsmanship. Each element has been developed specifically for the residence, creating an interior that feels both individual and intrinsically connected to the architecture.
The primary suite occupies the western corner, where the bedroom enjoys uninterrupted river views. Dressing rooms, bathrooms and wellness spaces sit further within the plan, creating a sense of privacy and retreat. The façade responds to seasonal conditions, welcoming warmth in winter while mitigating excessive solar gain during summer.
Above, a private rooftop offers another perspective on the surrounding landscape. Accessed via a dedicated staircase or lift, the space incorporates a swimming pool, spa and fire pit, extending the home’s entertaining and relaxation areas into the open air. Here, the Brisbane River becomes an ever-present backdrop to daily life.
Developed by Spyre Group and built by GRAYA, ARC Penthouse demonstrates how generous scale can be balanced with architectural clarity and a strong sense of place. More than a residence defined by its remarkable outlook, it celebrates Brisbane’s evolving relationship with the river, bringing architecture, interiors and landscape into close dialogue.
