In a positive shift for the Brisbane commercial market, global provider of professional, technical and management support services, AECOM, has signed one of Australia’s largest leasing deals for 2009 to become a major tenant at Brisbane’s landmark project, HQ.
AECOM companies, Bassett, EDAW, ENSR and Maunsell AECOM, have committed to 13,600 square metres of office space over five levels within Leighton Properties and Leighton Contactors’ newest urban renewal development, HQ, located on Brisbane city’s fringe.
Currently situated in nine offices across Brisbane, the move to HQ will enable AECOM to consolidate its businesses into one location, benefiting from improved sustainability practices and efficiencies in the workplace.
Consisting of two office towers offering A-Grade commercial and boutique retail space, HQ revitalises a hectare parcel of inner city land in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane’s latest city fringe business centre.
“During 2008, the limited supply of CBD office space caused many Brisbane businesses to seek office space in the CBD fringe,” Andrew Borger, Executive Director and State Manager, Queensland of Leighton Properties said.
“At HQ, we’re bringing an additional 43,500 square metres of office and retail space to the market in the next 12 months.
“The project is set to establish a new benchmark in urban redevelopment and provide an iconic statement at the entry to the new Valley precinct.”
Recent reports from the Property Council of Australia show that many Brisbane businesses are making the move out of the CBD, consuming a record 61,000 square metres of city fringe space in the past six months.
Maunsell AECOM Queensland Director, Andy Olsen, said the decision to move to HQ represented good value, productivity gains and improved services and access for clients that would come from bringing together team members currently scattered across nine Brisbane locations.
“HQ also ticked the boxes for us in terms of sustainability in design, adaptable office space, location and employee benefits,” Mr Olsen said.
“Our company’s purpose of enhancing and sustaining the world’s built, natural and social environments starts with embedding sustainability into everything we do, particularly our projects, our office accommodation, and overall, how we operate as a business.”
In developing HQ, joint venture partners Leighton Properties and Leighton Contractors will draw on the environmental innovations used for their multiple award-winning Green Square.
HQ has already been acknowledged as one of Australia’s ‘greenest’ buildings, achieving a 6 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 accreditation from the Green Building Council of Australia; one of only three in Queensland.
Leighton Contractors Northern Region General Manager Darren Weir said they had applied Green Square’s award-winning formula to raise the bar even higher for HQ.
“At HQ we will be making significant reductions in the amount of waste generated during construction with at least 80 per cent of construction waste being re-used or recycled,” said Mr Weir.
“We are also targeting a 60% reduction in greenhouse emissions for HQ, compared to the current average energy efficient building.
“Tenants are seeking quality green office space more than ever due to the long-term financial and employee benefits.”
In addition to delivering 43,500 square metres of premium office and retail space, cafés, wine bars and public plazas, HQ will house a dedicated bicycle centre, incorporating 260 bike racks and full end-of-trip facilities.
HQ received development approval from Brisbane City Council in mid October 2008 and work onsite is underway.
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Borger
Executive Director and State Manager, Queensland
Phone: (07) 3370 4700
Email: andrew.borger@lppl.com.au |