Off The Record: Rumours over Lot Fourteen’s anchor tenant and the perils of public press conferences

Rumours over who’s settling in at Lot Fourteen, a blast from the political past takes the high ground and the perils of public press conferences – all in this week’s Off The Record.

Rumours firm up over the main tenant of Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen, an eyebrow-raising op-ed in a daily online newsletter and the perils of public press conferences – all in this week’s Off The Record.

Playing defence

It’s been described as the “centrepiece” of the emerging innovation precinct on North Tce, but who exactly will be moving into the much-hyped $400m Entrepreneur and Innovation Centre (EIC) at Lot Fourteen?

With construction due to begin in the new year, speculation is swirling that the building’s developer – Melbourne-based Quintessential Equity – is closing in on an anchor tenant to underpin the project.

Several industry sources have confirmed to Off The Record that Quintessential is in advanced talks with the federal government, and specifically the Department of Defence, to occupy about 28,000 sqm in the 35,000 sqm building.

With the federal government previously committing up to $20m towards a 2500sq m Innovation Hub on the first and ground floors of the EIC as part of a City Deal, it leaves just 4500 sqm left to lease to private sector businesses.

Quintessential executive chairman Shane Quinn declined to comment on the rumours but said an announcement was likely to be made by February.

Quintessential Equity executive chairman Shane Quinn. Picture: Alan Barber

“We’re in discussions right now with tenants and we’re hoping to make an announcement on the make-up of the building by February next year,” he said.

“We’re trying to create an ecosystem that is complementary, so the private sector can work with government to solve the problems of tomorrow today.

“The whole precinct is about technology, defence and cybersecurity – the centre (EIC) is really exciting and significant not only for South Australia but for Australia as a whole.”

The 16-level EIC building will tower over the back of the refurbished heritage-listed buildings fronting North Tce, and together with the $200m Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre, will occupy the remaining land cleared at the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

Development approval for the project was granted in February, with Quintessential selected by Renewal SA to deliver the project in March. It is expected to open in late 2023.

View from the hill

Occupying the moral high ground is always something of a risky proposition. So bravo to former Liberal cabinet minister Mark Brindal, who stood up in online newsletter InDaily and cast judgment on the embattled Attorney-General Vickie Chapman.

To much eyebrow-raising across government circles, Brindal opined that the “scenes being played out in the parliament of South Australia threaten the very fabric of our parliamentary system’’.

Brindal said “the double standards are clear’’ and “it’s my assessment that the Attorney has failed the pub test’’.

Mark Brindal

Readers with long memories and access to the internet will recall that Brindal himself left parliament under something of a cloud. The former cabinet minister decided not to run again in the 2006 election after something of a scandal when it emerged the then-57-year-old married MP had been having sex in his electorate office with a 24-year-old man.

Outside job

As Premier Steven Marshall found out yesterday there are always perils for pollies in conducting press conferences among the great Australian public. As Marshall was gamely battling the assembled reptiles of the Fourth Estate at a press conference in Victoria Square, a couple of even greater critics vented spleen as they passed by.

One loud voice, attached to a head leaning out of car window, shouted “f--- you Steven Marshall’’. Another citizen yelled out “What corona?” as they walked by the presser.

Maybe, a less public spot will be chosen next time.

There was a silver lining for the Premier who – after taking a barrage of hostile questions on his embattled deputy, Attorney General Vickie Chapman – was asked for a selfie picture from an eager punter.

The earlier abuse was in stark contrast to another “presser” a few weeks ago at The Heights School, Modbury Heights when the Premier and chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, were mobbed by schoolchildren.

Professor Nicola Spurrier is mobbed by school kids after speaking at a press conference at The Heights School about an expansion of Covid vaccinations. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe