A $190 million redevelopment in West End has been approved, with McNab set to transform the historic Dixon’s Tannery into a residential precinct featuring wellness-focused communal spaces.
Heritage Site Redeveloped in West End
Builder-developer McNab has secured approval to redevelop Dixon’s Tannery in West End, a late 19th-century industrial site, into The Tannery Residences. The 10-storey project will deliver 81 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments on the 4,465-square-metre site at 439 Montague Road.
Preserving Industrial History
Dixon’s Tannery was first established by Thomas Coar Dixon in 1869. The original building was destroyed in the 1893 Brisbane floods, and a new tannery was constructed around the same year. After Dixon’s death in 1908, the business continued under his family until it closed in 1970. The preserved structure will be repurposed as the Retreat, a communal wellness centre at the heart of the development.
Wellness and Communal Amenities
The project incorporates more than 1,100 square metres of communal space across the ground level and rooftop. Inside the heritage tannery, facilities will include a sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, a gym, and a Pilates and stretch studio. Residents will also have access to a cinema, library, private dining room, and co-working areas.
Rooftop and Outdoor Features
Designed in collaboration with Cottee Parker Architects, Aspect Studios, and Tom Mark Henry, the complex will offer rooftop amenities such as a pool, landscaped gardens, outdoor dining areas, a sunset lawn, and dog-friendly spaces. A mature Hoop Pine at the site entrance will also be preserved following detailed design planning.
Design Approach
Project designers have stated that the interiors aim to merge heritage character with subtropical design principles. The intention is to create a residential environment that respects the site’s past while providing contemporary facilities focused on wellbeing.
Construction Timeline
Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2025, with completion anticipated in late 2027. Earlier reporting also indicated work could begin within two months of approval, reflecting different timelines presented across project updates.
Published 20-Aug-2025
