6 Oct 2016

Luxury Precinct Aims To Put Melbourne On World Stage

Super fund developer Cbus Property has snagged HWL Ebsworth Lawyers for a large tenancy at the $1.25 billion Collins Street skyscraper it is developing in central Melbourne.

The landmark twin-tower project is proving to be a favoured nest for legal eagles, with another top-tier firm, King & Wood Mallesons, already an anchor tenant at 447 Collins Street.

In the latest deal, HWL Ebsworth will take 6500 square metres across three levels of the 42-storey project.

“We are delighted to have committed to what we believe will be the most impressive building to be constructed in Melbourne in recent memory, clearly a future landmark,” said HWL Ebsworth Lawyers managing partner Juan Martinez.

The project’s two towers are joined by a skybridge, unique to Melbourne. Along with the commercial space, the development comprises a five-star hotel of 294 rooms and 202 luxury apartments.

Cbus Property hopes the project becomes the city’s first building to win WELL accreditation, a global standard for rating a building’s occupancy health.

Mr Martinez said the project’s amenities and environmental credentials would “mirror the standards expected by a firm like ours and by our quality clients”.

Work on the development formally began last week. The project encompasses a 6000 sq m island site in the mid-town.

The twin-tower project has already been popularly dubbed the “Pantscraper”, although its official name is the more buttoned-up Collins Arch.

“Securing our second tenant, resulting in 30 per cent of the commercial space already committed, really solidifies the importance business leaders are placing on workplaces of the future,” said Cbus Property chief executive Adrian Pozzo.

“Targeting Melbourne’s first WELL-rated building, we are proud to offer a truly remarkable precinct, with leading design at all levels.”

HWL Ebsworth Lawyers will occupy levels eight to 10. Level nine includes a terrace overlooking Collins Street.

That was a key drawcard, according to Colliers International leasing agent Andrew Beasley, as top firms look to retain talented lawyers with better workplaces.

The law firm will fly the coop from its current home a block away at 530 Collins Street, owned by the GPT Wholesale Office Fund.

The Cbus Project, designed by local architects Woods Bagot and New York firm SHoP Architects, includes plenty of green space at the ground level.

Along with 2000 sq m of public space on the site, another 1500 sq m pocket park will be created by enclosing part of adjoining Market Street.

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