Highgate Hill townhouses await court approval after half a decade of delays

November 2, 2026 — 6:00amA triple block of premium Highgate Hill townhouses could finally be finished more than half a decade after going on the market.The lengthy build has mystified locals in Brisbane’s inner south, but owners are still unable to move into the seemingly complete homes while they await approval through the planning court.Advertised for more than a million dollars a pop in 2020, the seven triple-storey units have sat almost finished and empty for years after an investment fund was forced to take over the project when its builder defaulted on its mortgage in 2021.The site appears complete but remains empty.Julius DennisA retail space at 45 Gladstone Road below two of the units was sold to a real estate agent earlier this year after being listed for $500,000.But the space, and the units, remain empty, with Trilogy Private – the fund – locked in a planning court fight with Brisbane City Council.Built around a towering hoop pine, the communal decks of the units are now covered in clumps of needles, and some of the timber floorboards are soft underfoot.The decks are covered in pine needles. Julius DennisThe ceilings on some of the units are unfinished, and paint cans are stacked in the empty shopfront, but otherwise the site appears finished.On the street outside, neighbours shrugged their shoulders in exasperation about what’s happened with the construction.The project hit the market in 2020 as Tree Haus, with agents asking for $1.25m for potential owners to have a piece of the “boutique enclave of architecturally designed residences”.“These townhomes represent an unrivalled low maintenance inner-city lifestyle in one of Brisbane’s best performing growth suburbs, the opportunity exists for you to choose your new home today,” the Ray White ad read.The ceiling on unit 6’s deck is unfinished. Julius DennisThe original plans were approved for a material change of use in the planning court in 2019 after it was denied by the council in 2018.The better part of a decade later, the final changes must be ticked off in the same court.The council argued some of the units, and the driveway and visitor parking, were below minimum flood heights and are yet to agree with the changes, which have already been built.But Trilogy said the habitable floor levels were “generally in accordance with the approved plans”, and the whole project had been ticked off by a building certifier.The units have been a subject of interest for locals for years. Julius DennisIn his affidavit, town planner Ben Russell said the parking heights had been approved by a flood expert.At a hearing on October 16, Judge Michael Williamson KC gave the council until November 2 to tell Trilogy if it remained opposed to the townhouses.The matter will be reviewed on November 6.A Trilogy spokesperson said the company’s primary objective was to complete the project and get the purchasers in.“The homes are now built and practical completion has been achieved,” they said.The shopfront is empty. Julius Dennis“Our focus is on finalising the remaining planning and administrative steps needed so settlements can proceed.”They said they could not go into detail while the matter was before the court.“We appreciate this has been a lengthy journey for purchasers and remain focused on achieving the best possible outcome for them, which is to see them move into their homes as soon as possible,” they said.Also referencing that it was a court matter, council declined to comment.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.More:Property developmentFor subscribersDevelopmentPlanningBrisbaneHighgate HillBrisbane developmentFrom our partners