Former CBRE boss Jonathan O’Brien has been appointed Cushman & Wakefield’s new Queensland managing director
After three months Cushman & Wakefield has found its new QLD managing director; Sentinel spruces up its biggest acquisition; and Savills party hearty pre-Christmas.
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ONE of Queensland commercial property’s most experienced management operatives will take the helm at Cushman & Wakefield.
Jonathan O’Brien, who left CBRE on Friday after 24 years, has been appointed managing director of Cushman & Wakefield’s Queensland operations.
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He replaces Glen Wright who stood down three months ago after leading the agency since 2015.
O’Brien joins the agency after having stints as the boss of CBRE’s Brisbane and Gold Coast offices. This year he relocated back to Brisbane to be CBRE’s regional director, Capital Markets — Metropolitan Investments.
We hear that there are no hard feelings at CBRE and “JOB” left with the agency’s best wishes for the next chapter of his working life.
He’s currently on “gardening leave” and will be on deck at his new job next year.
O’Brien says the timing was perfect with the Queensland commercial property sector experiencing significant growth.
“I had 24 marvellous years with CBRE which is a fantastic company but it was time to move on to a fresh challenge,” he told Commercial Confidential.
James Patterson, chief executive Australia and New Zealand, Cushman & Wakefield, said attracting a senior executive of O’Brien’s calibre was testament to the quality of the agency’s Queensland team.
“We expect that his industry leadership and capital markets experience will underpin Cushman & Wakefield’s plans to build a leading business in key markets throughout Queensland,” he says.
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SENTINEL Property Group has kicked off a multi-million makeover of its CBD office tower Makerston House which it bought earlier this year for $103 million.
Sentinel — which next year will celebrate its 10 anniversary — has completed a new high-spec end-of-trip facility for the modern 5 Star NABERS Energy rated 14-storey office building, at 30 Makerston St which is leased to the Queensland Government as well as various state government corporate entities plus Secure Parking.
Sentinel managing director Warren Ebert said the end-of-trip facility was installed in a total 350sq m space, which was reclaimed in the underground carparking area from old, unused storage rooms.
“We and our tenants are delighted with the result of this project which has now provided an outstanding end-of-trip facility for the workforce in Makerston House,” he said.
“The facility offers male and female amenities including 144 lockers, 10 showers, vanities as well as a disabled shower room. It features high end finishes and towel and washing services are provided.
“The facility also includes a bike room with 62 bike racks and a bike service station.”
Ebert says Sentinel’s strategy was to always look to add value to its properties where possible.
The Group is also carrying out a major refurbishment of its office building at Port Macquarie, and under the Northern Territory Government’s ‘Leased Property Stimulus Scheme’, Sentinel will be upgrading its Cascom Centre at Casuarina in Darwin including the installation of end-of-trip facilities.
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IT’S approaching the Christmas party season but Savills has its nose well and truly in front.
The agency swapped its usual Christmas soiree at Fridays for a Melbourne Cup Client Function earlier this month at the same venue.
There were more than 200 revellers — with more than a few going home winners — at the function.
In case you were curious who was there — here are a few photos.
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