This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
MIRVAC has signed 20,000sqm of new leases to innovation and professional services companies at its $1 billion Locomotive Workshops in the South Eveleigh tech precinct.
This year, Mirvac Group has signed on tenants to the precinct including data analytics firm Quantium, who committed to 12,000sqm as its new Sydney HQ, OMG Media to 4,100sqm and co-working provider Work Club to 3,200sqm.
Having been green lit in February 2019, South Eveleigh is set to become NSW leading technology precinct, with anchor tenant Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the site will host around 18,000 workers by the end of 2022, including those Cicada Innovations, Data61 and CSIRO.
Other tenants at the Locomotive Workshops will include include Sunsuper and Post Op Group, in addition to retailers such as The Grounds, Kylie Kwong’s Lucky Kwong, and Romeo’s Food Hall IGA.
“As the west-end anchor of the NSW Government’s Tech Central, South Eveleigh is set to become a technology ecosystem which connects Redfern, Eveleigh and extends to Waterloo Metro, which Mirvac has recently received development approval for further building out the world-class hub,” said Campbell Hanan, head of the integrated investment portfolio at Mirvac.
In the 19th century, the site hosted the original Eveleigh Railway Workshops which included the national rail network and is today working with its precinct partners, Cicada, CBA and Quantium, as well as a panel of tech and innovation tenants to develop a framework for leasing options which support the growth of tech start-ups.
“We’ve seen significant interest in the unique campus-style working environment that we are delivering at the site, in particular the distinct offering of the Locomotive Workshops bringing together unique heritage buildings with a contemporary workplace offering,” said Hanan.
Additionally, Mirvac with Cicada, CBA and Centuria have formed a Technology and Innovation Fund to create investment initiatives to support the growth of the precinct. So far this has included supporting Australia’s Festival of Innovation, Spark Festival, to operate from South Eveleigh this October.
“For over 21 years Cicada Innovations has grown thriving deep tech companies right here in South Eveleigh. Once the home of the last industrial revolution, we are now building the next, with resident companies finding solutions to pressing problems in health, agriculture & food, energy, and more,” said Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovations.
While Cicada Innovations committed to space opposite the revitalised Locomotive Workshops, Quantium’s new Bates Smart-designed HQ will include a fit-out that highlights the industrial elements of the locomotive shed.
Quantium’s space will be initially built to accommodate more than 700 people, with built-in growth space to allow for up to 1,400 people over the coming nine years.
‘‘The strong leasing interest at the site is evidence of our strategy to focus on building a technology ecosystem at the precinct and our vision to deliver a state-of-the-art work and lifestyle destination curated to meet the needs of today’s modern, flexible workforce,” said Hanan.
South Eveleigh includes retail and dining offerings and boasts ample connectivity with access to transport such as Redfern station and the new metro at Waterloo.
Meanwhile, set to open in April this year, the new Work Club South Eveleigh will bring two levels of flexible workspace options to the locomotive workshops, with private suites, hot desks and a library area.
Work Club will also include concierge services, conference and events facilities, a SAGAS Café and Retail Store, as well as in-house Club Lounges.
“South Eveleigh is one of the most ambitious and best examples of creating a precinct at scale in Australia, so partnering with Mirvac was a natural fit. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to create something truly special, a place where people want to be, whether for work, play, or learning,” said Soren Tramedach, founder of Work Club Global.
