Eastland: QIC starts work on second high-rise office tower on Ringwood St

The owners of one of Melbourne’s biggest shopping centres are forging ahead with another nearby high rise office tower. See what’s in store.

An artist's impression of Eastland owner QIC's proposed office tower at 17-21 Ringwood St. Picture: Extract from planning documents.

Another high rise office tower will be built in Ringwood next to one of Melbourne’s biggest shopping centres.

Eastland owners Queensland Investment Corporation are preparing to build a 10-storey office and retail tower on land it owns on the corner of Ringwood and Bond streets.

The site is located in between the shopping centre and Ringwood’s Costco Warehouse.

Leader revealed details of the plans in December, and Maroondah Council’s planners approved a permit for the development in late May.

However, the council recently approved an amendment to the permit on September 7 “to facilitate the commencement of early construction works”.

Builders Maben, which built QIC’s EastCo tower and Maroondah Council’s offices in between the Realm library and Sage Hotel, are also set to build the new tower.

According to a construction plan from the company, the building will include a large retail space at street level to give “an active edge to both Ringwood St and Bond St”.

The remainder of the building will include four levels of parking and five levels of office space above.

QIC has managed to gain an exemption to include 236 sparking spaces on site, 111 less than required under statutory planning.

A laneway connecting the tower with Costco next door will also be redesigned with a bicycle ramp installed at Bond St.

The cost of the project is unclear, but according to planning documents, the tower is scheduled for completion in March 2024.

Eastland general manager Greg Balmforth said the permit amendment would allow QIC to prepare the site ahead of construction beginning shortly.

“While still subject to final approvals, the proposed development at 5 Bond St involves the delivery of a 12,000sq m, 10-level office tower, which will complement the evolving town centre and office precinct adjoining Eastland,” he said.

The progress on the new tower comes after QIC’s first nearby office development, the 11-storey EastCo tower, officially opened on Maroondah Highway next to Ringwood railway station this week.

The $100m complex had a VicRoads customer service kiosk open on the ground level in July, and about 1000 Department of Transport workers moved into office space above in recent months.

“Following the opening of the Department of Transport building at 110 Maroondah Highway in July, we are thrilled to be continuing to progress our long-held vision to create a thriving business hub at the centre of this burgeoning region,” Mr Balmforth said.