Demolition begins at old ABC Brisbane site at Toowong to make way for proposed $420m development

Demolition has begun on the former site of the ABC Brisbane headquarters at Toowong to make way for a $420 million three-tower residential project.

The site, abandoned by the national broadcaster in December 2006 over cancer cluster concerns, is being cleared ahead of construction for proposed development "Grace on Coronation".

Sunland bought the Toowong property for $20 million in 2013.

For the site, they have proposed three residential towers comprised of 486 apartments and eight riverfront villas, 635 car parks and 7,300 square metres of landscaped public parklands, allowing public access to a section of the Brisbane riverfront which has been privately owned for more than 160 years.

It was designed by Iraqi-British architect Dame Zaha Hadid to resemble flowers in bloom, however, it has already been likened to the shape of champagne flutes.

The 1.5-hectare site is the second Brisbane project for developer Sunland Group, which is also behind the 40-storey Abian residences in the Botanic Gardens and the landmark Q1 tower on the Gold Coast.

The proposed development also includes the preservation of the heritage-listed Middenbury House, which was built in the 1860s and played host to the Prince of Wales in 1920.

It was also used for a function in November 1959 to officially celebrate ABC's first television broadcast in Queensland.

However the rich history of the site extends beyond landmark celebrations.

Between 1994 and 2006, 18 women who worked there developed breast cancer.

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Demolition begins at old ABC Brisbane site at Toowong to make way for proposed $420m development