Rooftop running track part of Fortitude Valley development

It’s got a rooftop athletics track, open-air cinema and giant artwork of a disco ball – welcome to the latest tower set to be approved by the Brisbane City Council.

The apartment tower at 275 Wickham Street, opposite Fortitude Valley’s The Wickham, was green-lighted by the council’s neighbourhood planning committee on Tuesday.

It is expected to receive full council approval next week.

An Avis car rental business currently occupies the site, but Sandt Developments want to turn it into a 29-storey tower with commercial space and apartments for about 530 people.

The roof will be the attraction, featuring what the developers have described as an “exclusive bar”, synthetic rubber running track, cinema and a relaxation area.

The developers will be required to provide public art, and initial designs show a giant disco ball artwork above one of the entrances.

The building will be one of the tallest buildings in Fortitude Valley and tower over its neighbour, the historic former McWhirter’s Motor Garage on Ballow Street.

However councillors on Tuesday didn’t expect it to have an adverse affect.

“They’re really quite respectful to the heritage building next to them,” Councillor Amanda Cooper said of the proposal.

Planning officers said the tower compiled with the local height limit of 25 storeys because the first four floors consisted of a podium.

Meanwhile, developers Blue Sky have announced the construction start dates on two major student accommodation projects in Woolloongabba and South Bank.

It comes after Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced fees discounts for student accommodation developers earlier this year.

Blue Sky will begin work on its 286-bed building in Ernest Street at Woolloongabba this month, with an expected open date of July 2016.

Construction of a 733-bed facility in South Bank’s Merivale Street – set to open in July 2017 – is due to commence this October.