The expanded Queens Walk complex has won a major architecture award.

Queens Walk now features 149 social and affordable rental homes following the completion of a 65-unit expansion in August last year, which transformed the site into Tasmania’s largest social and affordable housing complex.

The expansion was designed by architects Cumulus Studio and added 27 two-bedroom units and 38 one-bedroom units.

On Saturday 30 May, that work was honoured with the Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing Award at the annual Tasmanian Architecture Awards.

Queens Walk stands out as a great example of multi-storey, medium density, in-fill apartment living that makes the best use of available land to provide more homes.

The expansion reflects Homes Tasmania’s commitment to delivering smart housing developments that make better use of well-located land that is close to jobs, transport and services, so we can deliver even more stable and affordable accommodation for Tasmanians.

The expanded Queens Walk complex showing the old and new buildings.

Close collaboration with Housing Choices Tasmania, which has managed the site since 2014, ensured the expansion delivered significant benefits for existing residents as well as new tenants through upgraded infrastructure and landscaping across the site.

Existing residents were engaged during the design process, and elements of the landscape design were informed by that feedback, including a greenhouse, raised garden beds, basketball hoop, swing, sandpit, BBQ, seating and outdoor gathering areas. These elements have provided an uplift to the whole site, helping to unify the new and old buildings.

Accessibility across the site was also improved, with people with limited mobility able to access all areas of the site via walkways and ramps.

Housing Choices Tasmania managed the expansion project, with Homes Tasmania providing a $22.5 million grant for the development, a $4 million grant for enabling infrastructure and site works, and a $7 million repayable loan to Housing Choices Tasmania.

Homes Tasmania retains ownership of the property, which is under a long-term lease to Housing Choices Tasmania.

The expansion was built by Tasmanian building firm Fairbrother, with construction completed in August 2025, two months ahead of schedule.