Charter Hall’s GPO Exchange office tower tops out over Victoria Square

Mining giant BHP and Attorney-General Vickie Chapman have been given a first glimpse of the view from their new offices, which includes a sweeping panorama of Victoria Square.

Charter Hall managing director David Harrison, BHP head of corporate affairs SA Emily Perry and Built general manager SA Christopher Bate. (AAP Image/Brenton Edwards)

• BHP to relocate Adelaide base to new state-of-the-art GPO tower
• Work to begin on $250 million GPO Exchange building
• Facelift for Victoria Square’s Telephone Exchange building

Mining giant BHP and Attorney-General Vickie Chapman have been given a first glimpse of the view from their new offices, which includes a sweeping panorama of Victoria Square.

Rising 82 metres above Franklin St, construction of the $250 million GPO Exchange office tower has reached its highest point, marked with a traditional topping-out ceremony on the building’s 20th floor.

BHP has secured naming rights for the state-of-the-art building and will accommodate more than 800 staff across the lowest eight floors, comprising approximately 10,000sqm of office space.

The Attorney General’s department will take the nine upper floors and around 12,000sqm. Together, the two tenants will accommodate more than 90 per cent of the building, which is being developed by Charter Hall and built by construction company Built.

GPO Exchange building. (AAP Image/Brenton Edwards)

Ms Chapman said she looked forward to relocating her department from its current Pirie St headquarters.

“This is going to be a great initiative for thee Attorney-General’s department,” she said.

“We’re over 700 strong, we have a high demand for hi-tech technological advancement in relation to the services we deliver for all of government and the people of South Australia so it’s critical to us to be able to have this opportunity.”

Once completed, the GPO tower will include 24,500sqm of office space across 19 floors, a ground floor foyer and retail space, 71 car parks and “club style” end of trip facilities including 18 showers and 127 bike parks.

As well as advanced technology including car number plate recognition and the use of smart phones in place of a swipe card, the building is expected to become the first in the state to achieve a 6 star Green Star rating and Gold WELL certification.

The WELL rating is underpinned by a philosophy — originating in America — that says staff working in a building should leave work more healthy than when they arrived.

BHP head of corporate affairs SA Emily Perry said the company’s new Adelaide base would support its growing and diverse workforce.

“We can’t wait to feel that culture change that we know will come from working in Adelaide’s best building,” she said.

“The BHP offices will also bring a touch of Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam to Adelaide, recognising the resources we produce and the environments we work in.”

View looking east from the GPO Exchange building. (AAP Image/Brenton Edwards)

Charter Hall managing director David Harrison said the project would be delivered on time and on budget, with completion expected by September.

“Today marks a very important milestone for this transformative South Australian project, which will set a new benchmark for modern workplaces in the state, providing our tenant customers with an unrivalled work experience,” he said.

Charter Hall has around $1 billion worth of investments in the state, and recently announced it would develop, own and manage a $120 million distribution centre for Metcash at Gepps Cross.

The Advertiser understands the company is also close to securing another development site in the Adelaide CBD.

As part of the GPO Exchange project, the heritage listed Telephone Exchange building is currently undergoing an $8 million refurbishment, providing additional boutique office and retail space.

Meanwhile, local developer Greaton plans to introduce a five star Westin hotel into the precinct, with plans lodged for a 16-level $200 million tower behind the State Heritage listed GPO building.