Construction to commence on new CBD office for People First Bank in 2025
A five-storey, open plan office with a 600-employee capacity and contemporary facilities is being built in the Garden City. See how this will transform the CBD.
Development
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A new five-story, 600-staff office space in Toowoomba’s CBD has been scheduled for completion by 2027.
Next to the Chandler House on Ruthven St, the former Shrine Catholic Church is being demolished with construction soon to begin on a new office space for People First Bank (formerly Heritage Bank).
The five-storey building will become the new head office of People First Bank with the capacity to staff up to 400 people, with capacity for an extra 200 under additional office leases.
The ground floor will include three retail shopfronts and with a People First Bank branch.
Once complete it will replace the bank’s current offices in the Heritage Plaza on Ruthven St.
However, the future of that building is yet to be determined, with the bank still exploring the options for its future use.
Plans for the new building include large open floors, communal working spaces, meeting rooms and end-of-trip-facilities, such as change rooms, showers, lockers and bike storage space to support workers walking or cycling to work, a press release from the bank said.
Currently the new site is being cleared, with construction expected to commence mid-next year, and completion slated in for 2027, subject to approvals, People First Bank chief executive Steve Laidlaw said in a press release.
“This development is about more than just a building,” Mr Laidlaw said.
“It is about creating great careers for locals at People First Bank and fostering an environment that attracts and retains top talent to best support our customers.”
The building will be developed in partnership with Toowoomba-based FKG Group, a statement from the bank said on Thursday.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with People First Bank on this project,” FKG Group development manager Jack Gardner said.
“Like the bank, we are deeply committed to Toowoomba’s future.
“This development will not only enhance our city but will also provide opportunities for local suppliers, subcontractors and hundreds of workers, stimulating the local economy.”
Under the agreement between the companies, FKG Group will own and operate the building, with People First Bank committing to a 15-year lease with naming rights.
People First Bank was created in a merger between Heritage Bank and People’s Choice last year.
In the first year of the merger, the bank reported a 29 per cent increase in net profit, drawing in 47,000 new customers.
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