This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
A REIMAGINED Brisbane Fruit & Produce Exchange is envisioned in Mirvac’s plans for the ground plane at 80 Ann St, providing the flexible workspaces a post-pandemic Queensland demands.
The development will consist of a premium 35 level commercial building and at a pedestrian level an activated city precinct including 1,900sqm of public space, with increased connectivity from Ann St to Turbot St through laneways and thoroughfares.
The plan was co-created with Suncorp, who have already committed to a tenancy of 39,000sqm of the Ann St Building. Spaces has also already signed on to a long-term lease for 6,000sqm, with this third Brisbane location delivering adaptable workspaces and bringing the site to 73% leased.
The development is targeting 6 Star Green Star, 5 Star NABERS Energy, 4 Star NABERS Water and Gold Shell and Core WELL ratings.
“The ground plane design is porous, and pedestrian focused, emphasising collaboration, connectivity and community. Reviving the historic, bustling marketplace at Turbot St and returning it to Brisbane, we have created a modern interpretation of the old fruit and produce exchange, through an urban retail lane,” said Simon Healy, commercial development and general manager at Mirvac.
Designed by architects Woods Bagot, the development will see the lobby built on level one, making the entire ground floor public domain and increasing interaction with the site. The site will also be landscaped with native plants and will provide new green spaces to the city.
“Reflecting the site’s history, location, and subtropical climate, we have worked to design a new type of breathable office tower experience that is quintessentially Queensland,” said David Lee, associate principal at Woods Bagot.
The plans feature ample, light-filled workplaces with open air terraces, adaptable to future workforce and tenant needs, providing open and flexible outdoor workspaces desired by a post-COVID-19 Queensland workforce.
“Creating a connected and contiguous campus was crucial for Mirvac and Suncorp. The historical relevance of the site has been drawn into the new architecture of the tower,” said Lee.
Mirvac has also developed an activation strategy for the site, with planned experiences, events and entertainment during construction and through into completion. With a public art installation already up on the hoarding of 80 Ann Street, created in collaboration with Vast Yonder as part of Brisbane’s Street Art Festival. The large-scale artworks created by four local artists will stay up until the site’s completion.
The development is currently under construction and is employing an average of 250 workers onsite a day.
The site at 80 Ann St is set for practical completion in 2022.
