BDO and HopgoodGanim Lawyers precommitments kickstart building of Brisbane’s Golden Triangle

Work has started on a new premium 33-storey office tower in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, with the $800m development expected to finish in 2025.

An artist's impression of 360 Queen St in the Brisbane CBD.

Work is underway on an $800m state-of-the-art office in the heart of Brisbane’s Golden Triangle after two leading firms precommitted to the project.

Global accounting and advisory firm BDO Australia and law firm HopgoodGanim Lawyers will take-up more than a third of the 33-level tower at 360 Queen St which is a joint venture between two finds controlled by Charter Hall and Investa.

Designed by Blight Rayner architects, onsite works are already underway with the developers confirming Hutchinson Builders as the construction partner. Demolition is complete and the overall practical completed is expected in 2025.

Charter Hall’s managing director David Harrison said the lease agreements signal a clear resurgence in the office sector.

“We are seeing flight-to-quality where premium, state-of-the-art office buildings are attracting the highest occupancy rates and providing outstanding returns for CPOF investors,” he said.

An artist's impression of 360 Queen St in the Brisbane CBD.

BDO, which is currently in the Blue Tower at 12 Creek St in the CBD, will occupy 20 per cent of building’s net lettable area of 45,000sq m, while HopgoodGanim will move from Waterfront Place and occupy 14 per cent of the tower. They both have 12-year leases.

Charter Hall bought the three lots that make up the tower in 2017 and were in the running for the Suncorp head office contract but were pipped by Mirvac which developed the 35-storey tower Heritage Lanes at 80 Ann St which was completed late last year.

The site was then linked to QIC for its new head office but a decision seems to have been put on ice.

The tower features a business hub and wellness centre facilities; optimised natural light with floor-to-ceiling glass and vibrant outdoor spaces; mixed mode wintergardens and tiered tropical landscaped terraces; and a retail laneway with food and beverage outlets.

Managing partner of HopgoodGanim Lawyers Bruce Humphrys said the main attraction was the premium amenity it offered staff and clients.

“It affords us a workplace that will support our continued growth plans, while ensuring our people and clients are able to collaborate in an environment that promotes their wellness and changing workplace needs,” he said.

“We were also very attracted to the project’s strong environmental credentials.”

An artist's impression inside of 360 Queen St in the Brisbane CBD.

Charter Hall and Investa were advised by Chris Butters and Mark Curtain from CBRE and Andrew Harper from Cornerstone Properties represented BDO Australia and HopgoodGanim Lawyers.

Investa chief executive Peter Menegazzo said the tower represented the execution of their fund’s s strategy as an owner of some of Australia’s most advanced and sustainable assets.

“The development of 360 Queen Street will add significant value to the portfolio and balance our weighting to the Brisbane market,” he said.