This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
SHANE Quinn’s Quintessential Equity is launching its latest premium commercial office development in Geelong, completing the city’s urban regeneration initiative to form an integrated civic precinct.
The A-Grade office project at 20 Gheringhap Street will form the final part of the initiative to transform a 6,670sqm Geelong CBD site into the Wurriki Nyal precinct, which represents over $200 million in investment by government and the private sector.
The development follows closely behind Quintessential Equity’s completion of the City of Greater Geelong’s new headquarters in the precinct.
The Cox Architecture-designed 20 Gheringhap will feature a contemporary curved building form, including an activated ground level with interconnecting access to Wurriki Nyal and the parklands and waterfront of Geelong.
“With the health of the tenants at the forefront of the design, the building is targeting leading Green Star and NABERS Energy Ratings plus a WELL Shell and Core certification,” said Andrew Tucker, director at Cox Architecture.
Comprising around 11,000sqm of premium office accommodation across 11 floors, the project will feature rainwater recycling, solar panels, and electric car charging stations.
In addition to premium wellness features including touchless features and end-of-trip facilities including bike parking, lockers, grooming stations, shower and drying facilities.
“20 Gheringhap presents an opportunity for both the government and private sectors to co-locate in a precinct that will provide a place of work that employees will enjoy coming to every day,” said Edward Knowles, national director of office leasing at Colliers.
“We are continuing to see an increasing appetite for sustainable, A-grade office buildings in regional areas as high-profile corporate tenants look to re-locate and establish their business in closer proximity to where their staff reside.”
The project is anticipated to appeal to both government and large corporate occupiers who have taken on a decentralised workplace following the onset of the global pandemic.
“We’re passionate about providing world-class office spaces that look after and help our tenants, the community, and the environment to thrive. We’re delighted again to be making an important contribution to the growth and transformation of Geelong’s post-pandemic office community,” said Shane Quinn, executive chairman at Quintessential Equity.
“The building is designed to enhance connectivity within the Geelong CBD and enables better connections between the building and people’s health and wellbeing, and between employees, their work and lifestyle on the Bellarine Peninsula. We know there is going to be a fight for talent which we are seeing in Geelong and buildings like this will help attract and retain the best talent for the business that are houses in it.”
Located at 137 Mercer Street, the Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct is now open to the public and now features a customer service centre, café, and retail offerings.
“We have committed to Geelong over the last six years by delivering over 40,000m2 of new office space. We intend to continue strengthening this commitment and aspire to invest another $500 million over the next six years,” added Quinn.
Having delivered 1 Malop Street, 60 Moorabool Street and the city’s new headquarters, Quintessential Equity is also investing a further $125 million to support Geelong’s fast population growth. With Geelong currently forecast to hit 360,250 residents by 2036.