BHP intent on lighting up the Adelaide skyline with giant logo
One of South Australia’s biggest employers has signalled its move to the Adelaide CBD’s most cutting-edge office building by putting its name up in lights.
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One of South Australia’s major employers has put its name up in lights as it prepares to move into Adelaide’s most cutting-edge office building.
Two giant BHP logos — facing south and east — have been installed at the top of the new 24,500sq m Charter Hall developed office tower overlooking Victoria Square ahead of the minerals giant’s relocation there next month.
The new 10-year lease to BHP covers about 10,000sq m, or more than 40 per cent of the net lettable area of the of $250 million development and includes the building naming rights.
The three orange letters that make up the logo are all three metres high and weigh about 250kg each.
The Attorney-General’s Department will be the other major tenant and will take the nine upper floors and around 12,000sq m.
Work on the tower is expected to be completed by the second week in October with BHP’s 900 staff on course to complete the switch from its Grenfell St home by the end of next month.
“We are very much looking forward to moving into Adelaide’s newest building that has been developed to support a growing, diverse workforce with a flexible inclusive culture,” Asset President Olympic Dam, BHP, Laura Tyler said.
“We’re also impressed by a thoughtful office design that incorporates touches of Adelaide, Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam and recognises the resources we produce and the environment we work in.”
George Roussos, Charter Hall senior development manager said October will be a huge milestone for the GPO Exchange project.
“The state-of-the-art commercial development, now crowned with BHP signage, will set a new benchmark for modern workplaces in South Australia,” he said.
The technology enabled GPO Exchange will feature contemporary end-of-trip facilities that will provide its tenants with a substantial lifestyle uplift.
The 19-floor, 82-metre-high building will boast a ground floor state-of-the-art lobby space and barista bar, 50 car park spaces and ‘club style’ end-of-trip facilities including showers and locker plus 182 bike park spaces.
Key technology will include smart lighting, public Wi-Fi and a smart building app.
Tenants will have access to customer amenities such as an executive concierge service and electric car charging stations.
As well as advanced technology including the use of smart phones in place of a swipe card, the building is expected to become one of the first in the state to achieve a six-star Green Star rating.
Just over 12 months ago Charter Hall announced the restoration of the adjoining, and heritage listed, Telephone Exchange Building on Franklin St which has 370sq m of ground floor space and 412sq m of first floor space, expected to be leased to mostly retail tenants.
“We have active inquiry for the Telephone Exchange Building and will confirm once we have secured a lease agreement,” a Charter Hall spokesperson said.
Work has also begun this week on 11 Waymouth St, which sits behind the GPO development and was bought by Singapore investment powerhouse Mapletree for $202.5 million in late 2017.
The revamp will see seven new food, beverage and retail tenancies set across the plaza overlooked by the GPO Exchange office tower.