Commercial Precinct Planned for Canberra Carpark

A carpark in Canberra’s centre would become a 65,000sq m commercial precinct under plans put forward by the ACT developer responsible for Constitution Place and Canberra Airport.

Capital Property Group has unveiled the design for the project and said they intended to start construction by the end of the year, pending approvals.

“The project will be one of the largest private-sector investments in Canberra, creating over 1500 jobs during the construction ... and housing approximately 4000 people once complete,” the developer said.

The precinct is proposed for the prime corner site of Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit in the centre of the city, known as Civic.

Capital Property Group is the development wing of the Capital Airport Group, which owns Canberra Airport.

The developer acquired the 11,381sq m site, carparking for the nearby law courts, from the ACT government in November, paying $53 million. It is required to provide carparking equivalent to that on the current site as part of any development.

Renders of the Johnson Pilton Walker-designed scheme show two 12-storey towers and two seven-storey blocks with ground-floor retail and food outlets around a central urban park.

The developer said that although office space for the Commonwealth government was the focus of the precinct, there was the possibility of a hotel as well as a residential component in the plans.

▲ Capital paid $53 million for the site last year.

Capital Property Group’s group head of property Richard Snow said, “The project represents more than just physical construction; it is a strategic investment in the growth and vitality of Canberra’s CBD against a challenging investment environment”. 

“The development will enhance the city’s identity and reinforce Civic as the heart and lungs of the city,” Snow said.

“The development will offer modern, flexible workspaces and amenities designed to support productivity, collaboration and employee wellbeing.”

The office accommodation will include an all-electric plant, rooftop solar and would be carbon neutral in operation. Capital is targeting a 5-Star Green Star Rating, adhering to the Commonwealth’s Net Zero policy for all new workplaces.