Property giant Dexus is pushing ahead with plans for a transformation of Eagle Street Pier and Waterfront Place in Brisbane’s CBD.
The country’s biggest office landlord has now lodged plans for a 9,000 square meters riverfront site which includes two new commercial towers, riverfront dining, public plazas, extended riverwalk and ferry terminal.
If realised, the existing Eagle Street Pier building will make way for two towers, the 75,300-square-meter north tower reaching 49-stories and the 43-story south tower comprising 60,000 square meters of office space, sitting above four-levels of underground car parking.
Another key feature will be the widened and upgraded 280 meter riverwalk for pedestrians and cyclists, stretching between 6 meters and 18 meters wide, with 12,608 square meters of redeveloped public realm planned.
Dexus chief investment officer Ross Du Vernet said the development would unlock the considerable potential of the Brisbane CBD gateway site which had remained under-developed for almost 30 years.
“Waterfront Brisbane will be a great outcome for Brisbane with the renewal of the city’s premium business district, activation of the river and improvements to the riverwalk,” Du Vernet said
Dexus projects the development at 45 Eagle Street will drum up much needed employment opportunities with more than 1,000 construction jobs forecast as well as 900 ongoing support roles.
The existing heritage-listed Naldham House on site will remain with a new awning planned above it to provide safety to pedestrians.
The commercial precinct will be delivered over two stages, with the first stage involving the construction public realm spaces, riverwalk, podium levels, basement and north tower. The second stage will involve the construction of south tower.
If approved Dexus plans to commence construction on the Eagle Pier site in 2022 with the first stage to be delivered by 2026.
The proposed development will add to Dexus’ $11.2 billion development pipeline, which includes major projects such as the AU$2.5 billion (1.7 billion) Central Place Sydney—where it is partnering with Frasers, and a AU$550 million project at 60 & 52 Collins Street in Melbourne.
Other major projects include the $3 billion Pitt and Bridge precinct in Sydney, which Dexus acquired for $177 million with the backing of Canada’s CPP Investment Board.
Dexus withdrew its guidance in March as the disruptive effects of Covid-19 took hold on the economy.
In April, Dexus struck a joint venture deal with Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC, acquiring a $644 million half share in Melbourne CBD’s Rialto Towers.
In Brisbane, Dexus is also considering plans for a 274-meter skyscraper in Brisbane’s Golden Triangle following an off-market acquisition of a CBD retail building for $80 million late last year.
The listed developer is reportedly in talks with the Catholic Church, which owns several neighbouring properties of the 171 Edward Street site, including the heritage-listed Cathedral of St Stephen.
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