Cbus Property celebrates construction commencement of $300 million office tower at 83 Pirie Street in Adelaide

FEBRUARY 2022

Cbus Property marked the commencement of construction on its $300 million commercial development, 83 Pirie, in Adelaide last week, with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony to pay respect to the traditional custodians of the land, the Kaurna people.

The award-winning integrated property developer unveiled a new branding concept to coincide with the ceremony, featuring an indigenous artwork painted by John Lochowiak, a Kaurna- and Wadi-initiated man with strong ties with the Pitjantjatjara and Raminjeri people.  

Circular patterns in the hoarding artwork are a metaphor for the concept of respect for the land, which leads to greater harmony with Mother Nature. The painting symbolises a human, physical and spiritual connection to country, unity and equality between men and women, and depicts hidden fires representing survival, a serpent representing the creation of time, song lines and dreaming tracks. Tjilbruke, a dreaming story from the Adelaide Plains Area, is also featured.

Construction of 83 Pirie, a 20-level PCA A-Grade office tower, has commenced on the back of the South Australian Government’s commitment to lease 18,524 square metres for the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) on a 10-year term. 

Cbus Property’s Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Pozzo, said that the new development, which is anticipated to serve as the new offices of approximately 3,000 city workers, would bolster the company’s diverse investment portfolio, which is currently more than 40 per cent occupied by long-term government tenants.

“We would like to thank the State Government for its endorsement of the development as the anchor tenant,” he said.

“Responding to a future Adelaide workforce with a focus on sustainability, wellness, connection to the public community, nature and productivity, 83 Pirie is an incredibly exciting project that will optimise the site’s potential and create a new landmark for the city, as well as reinvigorate the city’s office precinct.”

South Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, The Honourable Corey Wingard, expressed his support for the development of 83 Pirie, saying commencement of construction was “an exciting milestone on a project that is anticipated to create up to 2,000 jobs during construction”.

“This project is supporting South Australia’s construction industry, local businesses and contractors and complements the Marshall Government’s record $16.7 billion investment in infrastructure across the state over the next four years,” Minister Wingard said.

Designed by Woods Bagot, the 30,645-square-metre office tower will feature large 1,768-square-metre floorplates, an expansive lobby with adjoining cafe and a 500-square-metre Wellness Centre. A rooftop terrace will create a unique point of difference from other CBD office towers, enhancing the fresh air and collaboration space available to tenants.

“The future-focused philosophy of the tower’s workplace architecture is to bridge workstyle with lifestyle,” Woods Bagot Director, Thomas Masullo, said.

“With the impact of COVID-19, the design lends itself well to adaptations for even greater wellbeing, including increased ventilation, expanding the end-of-trip facilities for active transport choices, and spaces in the lobby for greater work flexibility.

“We are excited to be starting construction, which will stimulate the market and immediate food and beverage businesses during these challenging times. When completed, it will emerge as a market leader and an exemplar of the new workplace environment.” 

Colliers International, which assisted Cbus Property in concluding the DIT lease, is the exclusive leasing agent for the balance of the building, being approximately 11,500 square metres in the high-rise floors, with highly efficient side core floor plates taking in breathtaking views of the CBD and Adelaide Hills.

“We are extremely proud to have concluded this significant pre-commitment transaction on behalf of our valued client, Cbus Property,” National Director for Office Leasing, Andrew Beasley, said.

“It is a great outcome for the Adelaide CBD and a testament to the South Australian State Government standing behind its commitment to generate jobs in this difficult environment. 83 Pirie will set a new benchmark in office quality, and we are already experiencing strong demand for the balance of the building from tenants seeking a flight to quality for the best in building design, technology and sustainability.”

In line with Cbus Property’s ambitious goal to achieve net zero carbon across its portfolio by 2030, 83 Pirie is targeting 5.5 Star NABERS Energy and 4 Star NABERS Waste ratings, as well as a 6 Star Green Star Base Building rating. The cutting-edge design is also planned to achieve Gold WELL certification.