Eastland: QIC plans second office tower near Costco and shopping centre

The ever changing Ringwood skyline is set for another addition as a major player looks to lure more workers into the bustling retail precinct.

The owner of one of Melbourne’s biggest shopping centres is continuing its push to lure more workers to Ringwood, unveiling plans for a second high-rise office tower.

Eastland owners Queensland Investment Corporation have submitted plans to Maroondah Council for a 10-storey tower at 17-21 Ringwood St, opposite the centre and next to Ringwood’s Costco warehouse.

The block, on the corner of Bond St, has been empty for several years and was previously the home of the old Ringwood market.

The proposal includes ground level office and retail space, four levels of parking, and another five levels of office space above.

QIC is also looking to make streetscape improvements including a widening of Bond St, and an exemption to provide only 236 parking spaces on site, 111 less than required under statutory planning.

“The building is multi-layered, in response to its surrounding context and its uses,” the business wrote in planning documents.

“The development of this site will provide A-grade commercial office space to attract new business opportunities to breathe new life into this corner site.”

The application’s public display comes as QIC’s first office tower, the 11-storey EastCo, nears completion.

The $100m tower, which will be Ringwood’s new tallest building, is being built on Maroondah Highway next to Ringwood railway station and opposite Ringwood Town Square.

The EastCo Tower on Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood, is set to be finished by April. Picture: Supplied artist’s impression.

It will be home to the State Government’s Department of Transport and builder Maben is set to finish construction by April.

Eastland’s new 3300sq m co-working space on level three, created by business centre operator Waterman, is also set to open in early January.

The space, which is almost 50 per cent pre-leased, will have more than 70 hot desks, 37 private offices and capacity for up to 400 workers.

QIC have been contacted for comment.