The Tannery in West End has officially launched to the public, with nearly 60 per cent of its residences already sold and a suburb record set for the sale of a two-bedroom apartment. The $220 million development combines new apartment living with the restoration of the former Dixon Tannery, preserving a significant part of the site’s industrial history.
Read: Historic Dixon’s Tannery Redevelopment Approved in West End
Located on Montague Road beside the Thomas Dixon Centre, The Tannery is being developed and built by McNab. The project will deliver 87 apartments across 11 levels, offering a mix of two, three and four-bedroom residences while retaining and adapting the original 1869 Dixon Tannery building into a shared wellness and community space known as The Retreat.
Strong Sales Ahead of Public Launch
Before public sales opened, nearly 60 per cent of the apartments had already been sold off market, including a two-bedroom residence that sold for $2.57 million, setting a new suburb record for West End.
McNab said the early response reflected growing demand for larger, lifestyle-focused apartments that prioritise wellbeing. The company also pointed to confidence in Brisbane’s long-term property market, citing population growth, housing demand, constrained housing supply and investment associated with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The development was designed by Cottee Parker Architects, with landscape architecture by Aspect Studios and interiors by Tom Mark Henry. Alongside the residences, the project will include rooftop amenities and The Retreat, a shared wellness space housed within the restored heritage building.
Construction is progressing under McNab’s integrated builder-developer model. The company said its construction approach, including a no-basement design and the use of its in-house trade workforce, provides greater certainty around the delivery program, with completion targeted for September 2027. Early works began in 2026 and included demolition of later structures and restoration of the heritage building.
Preserving the Dixon Tannery
Rather than demolishing the site’s historic structure, McNab is preserving the original Dixon Tannery building and converting it into The Retreat.
Built in 1869, the former tannery is a surviving reminder of West End’s industrial past. As part of the redevelopment, original building materials are being retained and repurposed where possible, helping preserve the site’s historic character while giving it a new community purpose.
A mature heritage tree at the site’s frontage is also being protected throughout construction under the guidance of a qualified arborist.
Earlier archaeological investigations during excavation uncovered remnants linked to the site’s former industrial use, providing additional information about the area’s manufacturing history before construction progressed.
Partnership with Queensland Ballet
The public launch of The Tannery also coincided with the announcement of a partnership between McNab and Queensland Ballet, whose neighbouring Thomas Dixon Centre shares historical links with the Dixon family.
McNab said the partnership reflects a shared approach to preserving heritage buildings while adapting them for contemporary community use. The company also highlighted the similarities between the transformation of the former tannery into The Retreat and Queensland Ballet’s restoration of the Thomas Dixon Centre as a cultural destination.
Read: West End Site Earmarked for 1,100 New Homes, Parks and Laneways
Queensland Ballet said the collaboration aligns with its commitment to preserving Queensland’s heritage while creating places where communities can come together.
By combining new homes with the conservation of a significant heritage building, the project aims to preserve part of West End’s industrial history while delivering new housing in the suburb.
Published 23-July-2026
