Fortitude Valley’s latest world-class 6 Star Green Star* mixed use development, the $300 million ‘HQ’, reached a major construction milestone recently when both the North and South Towers “topped out”.
Joint-venture partners Leighton Properties and Leighton Contractors celebrated the topping out milestone at a special event attended by industry representatives, pre-committed tenants, chair of Brisbane City Council’s Neighbourhood Planning and Development Amanda Cooper and Brisbane’s Right Honourable Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.
HQ will deliver 44,000 square metres of prime commercial office and retail space, designed to accommodate gourmet restaurants and cafés, wine bars, a supermarket and public plaza, as well as a dedicated bicycle centre with full end of trip facilities for more than 260 bikes.
Leighton Properties Executive Director and State Manager Queensland, Andrew Borger, highlighted the importance of the project to the region, identifying the iconic site as the gateway to the “New Valley”.
“HQ is the first major project to be delivered under Brisbane City Council’s new masterplan for the Valley,” Mr Borger said.
“This project is a reflection of their strategy to reposition Fortitude Valley as a living, working and entertainment precinct.
“Brisbane City Council has shown real leadership in increasing building heights, whilst also making significant contributions in four main areas: quality design of the towers, active podiums with pedestrian interfaces, world-class sustainability and community spaces and programs.”
HQ North Tower at 12 storeys is now the highest building in the Valley Gateway Precinct, yet still maintains enhanced public spaces and contributes to the 225 hectare Valley Greening Project, the first project to do so.
Leighton Contractors General Manager Northern Region Darren Weir said the milestone also reflected the level of employment the project generates.
“Until now, we have had approximately 2000 workers inducted on the HQ site,” Mr Weir said.
“By practical completion, we expect to have had 3000 workers contribute to the HQ project, with a current team of more than 300 contractors on-site daily and a new team to begin on the façade and the interior fitout of the two towers.
“In terms of construction materials, we will recycle a minimum of 80% of all waste generated, use approximately 5000 tonnes less cement by replacing it with waste such as flyash, and use 600 tonnes of steel with high recycled concrete.”
As part of the largest upgrade of public space in urban Queensland, Leighton Properties and Leighton Contractors will also develop a $2 million subtropical boulevard, fronting HQ and extending up Wickham Street.
Leasing is well advanced at 80% pre-committed with major tenants already signed including Leighton Contractors, AECOM and Technology One.
* 6 Star Green Star – Office Design v2 from the Green Building Council of Australia
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Borger
Executive Director and State Manager, Queensland
Leighton Properties Pty Limited
T: (07) 3370 4700
E: andrew.borger@lppl.com.au |