CBDRobina Establishes Itself As A Prominent Emerging Business Hub With Only 6.9% Vacancy Rate

CBDRobina has become Gold Coast's most in-demand office precinct, recording the lowest vacancy rate and highest take-up of commercial space in the city.

With just 6.9 per cent of commercial space available, according to the most recent figures from the Property Council of Australia, the precinct's low vacancy rate is on par with some of Australia's most sought-after CBDs, including Sydney and Melbourne.

CBDRobina has developed a reputation for innovation and accessibility, with its geographically-central Gold Coast location proving a big advantage for business.

Hylton Slater, General Manager at Robina Group, which has been responsible for pioneering the Robina masterplan for more than three decades, said CBDRobina had been planned from the ground-up as a world class centre for commerce, education and medical operators.

"CBDRobina has been carefully designed from day one to integrate businesses with key infrastructure including the M1 motorway, major arterial roads, public transport, health and education facilities, a major shopping centre and a large residential population," he said.

"The level of accessibility, infrastructure and the overall modern design available at CBDRobina makes it a stand-out business location.

"It is this combination that has propelled the precinct to the top of the list for businesses looking for commercial space on the Gold Coast, from blue-chip corporates to start-ups and Government departments.

"Among the list of established cornerstone industries are health, education, telecommunications and business - it is a precinct professionals from across a wide spectrum of sectors want to locate their businesses in."

Property Council of Australia figures show Robina/Varsity had the highest net absorption rate in the city in the six months to January 2017, with 4,999sqm of space taken-up.

Mr Slater said the availability of such central contemporary offices, along with approved, development-ready commercial sites, was rare in Gold Coast City, which was underpinning demand.

"CBDRobina is within a 30 minute drive of 96 per cent of the Gold Coast's population and is central to an urban-regional catchment of more than two million people," he said.

"Much of Gold Coast's future growth is predicted to be centered around Robina, which is expected to double its workforce and triple its population to 2050, so over the long term the area is only going to cement its position as the city's most sought-after district."

Aaron Lavell, managing partner at one of Gold Coast's largest professional firms, WMS Solutions, said being centrally located in CBDRobina had provided numerous business benefits.

“An accessible location at the heart of the population is essential to attract and retain customers and staff," said Mr Lavell.

"A CBDRobina business address so close to the M1 Motorway is a huge competitive advantage, which makes serious business sense.”

Australian Unity Healthcare Property Trust (HPT) has invested $64 million into CBDRobina in the past two years, including building the new Robina Private Hospital and acquiring existing commercial building Campus Alpha, along with two further development sites.

"CBDRobina's thriving medical precinct, ongoing growth and accessibility made it an obvious location choice to develop our new healthcare offerings," said HPT head of healthcare property, Chris Smith.

Knight Frank’s Gold Coast Office Market update, which was released earlier this month, also highlights the demand for new and dynamic business space in the city.

"Tenants are looking for properties that deliver a better occupier experience, including modern entry statements with soft and hard landscape design aspects, communal breakout spaces as office layouts go more to an open plan design and amenities such as showers and secure bike storage," the report stated.

"Owners delivering these occupier experiences are directly benefiting with higher occupancy and higher rental rates.

"A ‘flight to quality’ and a more modern business address also includes a requirement for high-speed internet connectivity – a critical addition to any new address targeting a strong take-up of new space."

For those looking to custom-build their own headquarters in CBDRobina, sites approved for a range of uses are available.

Mr Slater said development sites in CBDRobina benefit from the precinct's own Act of Parliament, the Robina Central Planning Agreement, which offers numerous  advantages in terms of town planning approval time frames and Council infrastructure charge benefits.  

CBDRobina is also a Principal Regional Activity Centre under the South East Queensland Regional Plan.

For further information on basing your business in CBDRobina, contact Marcus Weld of Robina Marketing Australia on 0414 726 207 or mweld@robina.com.au.

The Urban Developer is proud to partner with Robina Group to deliver this article to you. In doing so, we can continue to publish our free daily news, information, insights and opinion to you, our valued readers.