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Suncorp close to making decision on new Brisbane CBD headquarters

THERE’s been plenty of talk around the market about two of the biggest leasing requirements in the Brisbane CBD – new headquarters for big bankers Westpac and Suncorp.

An artist's impression of Mirvac's proposed tower at 80 Ann St in the Brisbane CBD.
An artist's impression of Mirvac's proposed tower at 80 Ann St in the Brisbane CBD.

THERE’s been plenty of talk around the market about two of the biggest leasing requirements in the Brisbane CBD.

Suncorp has whittled down its shortlist for its new headquarters in the CBD to Charter Hall and Investa office funds’ 40-storey tower proposal at 360 Queen St and Mirvac’s 36-level mega tower at 80 Ann St.

An artist's impression of Charter Hall's proposed new development at 370 Queen Street
An artist's impression of Charter Hall's proposed new development at 370 Queen Street

But what has many at the coal face talking is the timing with the Brisbane City Council not yet close to signing off on the development applications.

There is concern with Suncorp leases expiring at 2021 it might be a close run thing and there’s speculation over Charter Hall/Investa’s and Mirvac’s Plan B or Plan C if schedules don’t fit as they should.

Also, council has yet to sign off on Charter Hall’s proposed 36-storey tower at 266 George St where QSuper has signed a Heads of Agreement for a 16,000sq m tenancy.

The council is playing politics by placing a protective Temporary Local Planning Instrument on the development known as Reddacliffe Place, next to Brisbane Square No. 1 which is owned by Charter Hall and coincidently Suncorp has leased until 2021.

For the record a QSuper spokeswoman said: “Our negotiations are continuing with Charter and progressing well.”

Rendering of Charter Hall's proposed new office tower at 370 Queen Street in Brisbane.
Rendering of Charter Hall's proposed new office tower at 370 Queen Street in Brisbane.

IN OTHER leasing news we hear that banking giant Westpac’s search for 7000sq m of space has been whittled down to two — Charter Hall’s 175 Eagle St and GPT’s Riverside Centre on Eagle St in the CBD.

Meanwhile, the much ballyhooed thousands of metres of State Government requirement for office space in the Brisbane CBD has apparently stalled.

It appears everyone is waiting for a ministerial approval to kickstart the process.

There are a lot of interested parties chomping on the bit, with the people behind the Shayher Group’s speculative 300 George St probably biting a bit harder than most.

Rob Honeycombe outgoing REIQ chair.
Rob Honeycombe outgoing REIQ chair.

REIQ Chairman Rob Honeycombe has stepped down from his role as Board chairman saying it was time to make way for new blood.

“The REIQ is in the process of developing a new three-year strategic plan that will propel this organisation forward into exciting new territory and with my term expiring in October I wanted to give someone else the opportunity to lead the organisation through this transition,” he says.

Mr Honeycombe was elected to the Board of Directors in 2010 and was appointed to the role of Board Chair in 2014. The Board has appointed Peter Brewer as the new chairman.

Director of Medek Architects Bruce Medek at South Bank.
Director of Medek Architects Bruce Medek at South Bank.

BRUCE Medek has been appointed chairman of the Board of Architects Queensland.

His appointment marks the end of an era, with Professor Susan Savage completing a 15-year tenure in the role.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni paid tribute to Prof Savage’s invaluable experience in her five consecutive terms at the helm of the profession’s Queensland regulator.

He says she leaves a last legacy having made significant contributions to upholding professional standards and public confidence in the profession of architecture.

Mr Medek’s is currently the director of Medek Architects.

He was the youngest elected Queensland president of the Institute of Architects, becoming the Institute’s representative appointed to the Board of Architects Queensland, and now serves as an elected industry representative.

Three new appointments have been made — legal representative and new deputy chair Jennifer McVeigh, regional representative Tania Dennis and academic representative Lindy Osborne Burton.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/prime-site/suncorp-close-to-making-decision-on-new-brisbane-cbd-headquarters/news-story/e3d8b99b9cdf5c7ca961f9247fc178ad