Construction has started on Aurizon’s new headquarters at Fortitude Valley developed by Consolidated Properties
CONSTRUCTION has started on a Fortitude Valley tower with hopes it will signal a return in confidence to the fringe office sector.
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CONSTRUCTION has started on a Fortitude Valley tower with hopes it will signal a return in confidence to the fringe office sector.
Developer Consolidated Properties Group (CPG) and owner Charter Hall yesterday broke ground on the $170 million 19,000sq m, 14-level premium grade office which will house rail freight company Aurizon.
With residential construction dominating the urban renewal precinct the tower will bring 1700 Aurizon employees from two CBD buildings to the Valley once the building is completed in 2018.
CPG executive chairman Don O’Rorke said the start of construction at 900 Ann St was a sign of growing market confidence.
“This will be a landmark building for Fortitude Valley,” he said.
Aurizon has 100 per cent pre-leased the building for an initial period of 12 years which was the largest precommitment lease in Queensland since 2013.
The tower boasts contemporary design and market leading workplace innovation including premium grade services and contemporary building amenities set among the Holy Trinity Heritage Urban Oasis behind the office.
CPG secured a 110-year lease for the site, from the Anglican Church, in a deal which secures
the long-term future of the heritage-listed buildings.
Designed by John Wardle, and to be built by Hutchinson Builders, the development will include new food and beverage tenancies and community facilities for the Holy Trinity Church, in addition to the Aurizon office space.
“We are pleased that for the church landholders, the development provides an enduring
capital base for the church, which will sustain it into the future,” Mr O’Rorke said.
The development of the precinct, encompassing an entire city block, adopts an integrated
approach, acknowledging the existing activities and presence of the church on the site.
A pedestrian connection through the site will provide a transition space between church and
commercial activities.
Aurizon managing director Lance Hockridge said the company was “very deliberate” with the location and the building design of the building.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to create a workspace for our employees that delivers benefits
across all dimensions — cost and efficiency, environmental excellence, and in building an
innovative and inclusive culture,” he said.
Charter Hall head of office development Andrew Borger the ASX-listed property group’s
development pipeline today exceeds $1.5 billion with major projects underway in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
“Our focus is on creating vibrant new precincts in these capital cities and the opportunity to extend our relationship with Aurizon, CPG and Hutchinson Builders, will see us create another landmark office tower in Fortitude Valley,” he said.
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