An artist’s impression of 40 Brisbane Avenue, Barton. Photo: Colliers.
Construction has started on a new six-storey, A-grade office building in Barton, which the developers hope will appeal to a Commonwealth agency or businesses working with government.
The property at 40 Brisbane Avenue will meet the Commonwealth’s Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy, aim for 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating and a 5 Star Green Buildings rating, be fully electric and powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.
Colliers is marketing the building, which will deliver 16,562 square metres of lettable floorspace.
The transparent, glass-façade-enclosed building will front Brisbane Avenue and Windsor Walk, with a pedestrian walkway separating it from the adjacent Engineers Australia building.
When submitted in 2021, the Works Application said that the project would respect the intent of the York Park Master Plan with a high-quality streetscape, landscape and lighting upgrades continuing the precinct approach of Windsor Walk.
The main pedestrian entrance will be from Windsor Walk, while vehicles will enter the site from Brisbane Avenue to the three-level basement parking, as well as using a porte cochère drop-off for visitors.
The basement will hold 255 car parking spaces, including six accessible spaces and six motorcycle spaces. A bike storage area will be on the ground floor.
The building’s form is focused on the key corner of Brisbane Avenue and Windsor Walk to draw people into the public realm of the area and funnel them through the building to create a highly activated public domain.
Now, with demolition of the previous building completed and work starting on the project, Colliers has listed the building for lease on behalf of a Canberra-based development syndicate led by the Chase and Kenyon Investment groups.
Colliers National Director of Office Leasing Aaron Bruce said Chase Group would also likely take the lead construction role, and the team at DJAS architects had recently been appointed to handle design.
Mr Bruce said the development was expected to appeal widely to both the public and private sectors, given its blue-ribbon address and location in the heart of Barton, close to Parliament House.
“We also expect that a lot of occupiers that may wish to co-locate near the new $1 billion plus National Security Office Precinct (NSOP) will also be highly interested in understanding the proposed development,” he said
“For most office developments in Canberra, typically Commonwealth Government occupiers are of high interest and we expect this development to equally be highly attractive to potential Commonwealth Government occupiers.”
The listing says occupiers will enjoy sweeping views across the National Triangle and Canberra’s inner south.
The building will offer premium end-of-trip facilities, versatile meeting and conference spaces, and expansive floor plates averaging 2800 sqm with the flexibility to subdivide, catering to a wide range of business requirements.
The development is due to be completed by November 2027.
