Striking Landscape Design that Enhances Toowoomba’s Commercial Gateway
Eastville
Toowoomba | Queensland | Australia
project team
Client | JM Kelly Retail
Architect | Cottee Parker & PA Architects
Builder | Hutchinson Builders
Shire | Toowoomba Regional Council
a premier retail destination with an enduring landscape
Eastville is a premier retail destination, strategically positioned at the prominent intersection of Herries Street and Cohoe Street, at the top the Toowoomba Range.
Developed by JMK Retail, this vibrant commercial precinct features a ‘classic’ landscape design by Citicene, seamlessly blending natural elements with contemporary architecture.
Structured plantings and bold, continuous hedge lines define the landscape, enhancing the development’s refined and cohesive aesthetic. A carefully curated palette of textures, colours, and precisely clipped forms emphasizes symmetry and maturity, cultivating an enduring, classic appeal that will only grow more striking over time.
a secure, sustainable, and timeless landscape
The landscape at Eastville is carefully designed to align with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, enhancing both safety and functionality. Open sightlines, strategic plant placements, and well-lit pedestrian areas promote natural surveillance, reducing opportunities for concealment and ensuring a secure environment for visitors and retailers alike. The design also incorporates clear wayfinding and unobstructed, dedicated access points, fostering a welcoming and easily navigable space.
In addition to aesthetics and security, the landscape prioritizes low-maintenance and climate resilience, specifically tailored to Toowoomba’s variable conditions, including frost and drought. Hardy, frost-tolerant plant selections minimize upkeep while maintaining year-round visual appeal, and structured plantings are chosen for their durability and ability to thrive with minimal intervention. This balance of practicality and design ensures a sustainable, cost-effective landscape that continues to enhance the precinct’s character for years to come.
strategic plant choices for beauty and long-term sustainability
The landscape incorporates a selected range of species that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also thrive in Toowoomba’s unique climate. Notable species include the Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum), which offers vibrant seasonal color and strong structural form. The Pyrus Calleryana ‘Capital’ (Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’) is a standout for its upright growth habit and stunning spring blossoms, while the Buxus (Buxus spp.) provides timeless, evergreen hedging that contributes to the landscape’s neat, symmetrical lines.
Agapanthus (Agapanthus spp.) adds bold foliage and striking blue flowers, creating contrast with its surroundings, and Photinia (Photinia x fraseri) offers vibrant red new growth and evergreen foliage, enhancing the development’s visual appeal year-round. Together, these species create a cohesive, low-maintenance landscape that is both functional and beautiful.
preservation of significant street trees along herries street
Herries Street in Toowoomba is renowned for its heritage-listed avenue of Camphor Laurels (Cinnamomum camphora), which line the street. These mature trees contribute significantly to the city’s character and are integral to its historical landscape.
To protect and enhance these natural assets, the landscape design incorporates measures that respect the existing street trees and their historical significance. By integrating the development with the established arboreal features, the design fosters a harmonious blend of new and old, ensuring that the heritage value of Herries Street is preserved for future generations.