An artist’s impression of the building and connecting wing. Images: JPW.
Capital Property Group has dropped the idea of apartments and a hotel for the third and final building in the London Central precinct it is developing in Canberra’s CBD.
The works approval application submitted to the National Capital Authority shows the 12-storey proposal will be a completely commercial building with two levels of retail, cafes and restaurants and 10 floors of offices.
The proposal for 40 London Circuit at the western end of the former courts’ car park will include more than 18,000 square metres of office space and more than 1600 sqm of retail.
CPG had considered adding a residential component and a new hotel to the precinct but London Central will now be a completely commercial operation, with offices supported by shops and food and beverage outlets.
This is despite no major tenants, such as Commonwealth departments or agencies, yet to be announced.
Speaking late last year, CEO Stephen Byron said the company had experience and time on its side and he was confident that what it was delivering would attract a Commonwealth tenant.
CPG has previously submitted proposals for the approved main structure – three connected office buildings of 12 and seven storeys and a separate six-storey building at 2 Knowles Place opposite the Canberra Theatre.
In another change, this proposal will now be integrated with the main building at 60 London Circuit, sitting like the others on a two-level podium with floors connected at levels two to seven in a concave structure that will overhang the centrepiece public plaza.
More than 4000 people are expected to work across the two buildings.
A Knowles Place corner view of the building.
The 10-level tower will be in two sections, one with a curved facade and then further along London Circuit to Knowles Place, becoming a rectangular structure.
The ground floor retail space boasts a double height of 6.5 metres and a gym and wellness offering are envisaged for level one.
The pedestrian plaza provides a clear link to the courts precinct.
A commercial foyer for workers to access the office tenancies is at the western end of Knowles Place.
Like its big brother next door, this building will also have central atrium and core design to maximise natural light and views in all directions from all levels, with a vertical and horizontal façade for efficient shading of the sun.
What London Central will look like from the Hobart Place pocket park.
It will also include strong sustainability measures to meet the Commonwealth’s lease requirements, being all electric and net zero carbon, having a 5 Star Green Star rating, 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating with potential for 6 stars, 4 Stars NABERS Water rating with potential for 5 stars and rooftop solar.
Staff will enjoy extensive end of trip facilities and bicycle parking.
The works application also includes modifications to 60 London Circuit and the basement, as a result of integration with 40 London Circuit.
These include increased active frontage and internal reconfiguration, revised core planning and removal of the Level 11 terrace.
As well as structural and service changes to the basement, parking has been increased from 519 spaces to 574 spaces, including electric vehicle charging bays and accessible spaces.
The entire precinct development represented a $500 million investment in the CBD.
Submissions on the works application can be made until 2 February.
