What 19 National Circuit will look like. Image: Colliers.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) has committed $94 million towards the development of its new building in Barton.
DFAT has inked a contract worth $93,995,000 with Cromwell Property Group, which will deliver the six-storey building at 19 National Circuit.
The contract covers development costs, mostly the fit-out of the 19,800 sqm office building.
DFAT has signed a 15-year lease with Cromwell for an as-yet unknown amount. It will commence on completion of the development in mid-2027, and comes with an option for a five-year extension.
The new building will house about 1500 staff and allow DFAT to consolidate its Canberra workforce in Barton, near Parliament House and the National Security Office Precinct now under construction on the former carpark.
DFAT has about 4500 staff working out of two office sites in the CBD and two in Barton, including the RG Casey Building.
In a submission to the Parliamentary Public Works Committee last September, DFAT stated that consolidating staff in Barton would be more efficient and reduce security risks.
DFAT operates a shuttle bus between the offices at a cost of $300,000 a year. Each of the buildings requires its own guard posts, but they are not considered up to scratch in the current security environment and under new standards issued by Home Affairs.
Its fit-out submission stated that Cromwell had offered a lease incentive, which would be used to partially fund the fit-out, with any remaining costs to be covered through the departmental budget.
“Some operational savings are expected through reduction in administration for three buildings, removed requirement for the shuttle bus contract between the City and Barton, and reduction in individual building security desks staffing,” DFAT said.
The proposed fit-out targets a fit-out density of 12 sqm of usable office area per work point, in order to meet the Commonwealth’s occupational density target of 14 sqm per occupied work point.
DFAT has started consulting with staff on the proposed fit-out design before finalising the inclusions.
Cromwell will be responsible for the base building and integrated fit-out, with both expected to be completed at the same time.
A fit-out concept will be issued to the developer when the site is 30 per cent developed, along with a requirements brief.
The current leases at 44 Sydney Avenue and 51 Allara Street expire in May 2026 and June 2026, respectively; however, these are expected to be extended until the new Barton site is occupied.
The lease at 255 London Circuit does not expire until September 2027.
Barton, with its proximity to Capital Hill, is in high demand from Commonwealth departments and agencies.
The new DFAT building will not be far from the new Australian Taxation Office headquarters being developed by Doma Group and BLOC on the corner of Sydney Avenue and National Circuit.
The cost of constructing the 6-star NABERS energy-rated and a 6-star Greenstar-rated double-winged building is expected to be $201 million.
