Privately owned asset management and investment company APH Holding has secured a permit for the first stage of its $1 billion mixed-use business park in Forest Hill in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs as it looks to capitalise on rising demand for office space outside the CBD.

Amid a surge in suburban office projects, APH national director for commercial and retail Jaycen Willox said the company was in “high level” talks with education, government and medical groups to take up to half of the 35,000 square metres of office space planned in the $280 million first stage at its APH City Park project.