Sunshine Coast’s New CBD Welcomes First Commercial Tenants

Demand for commercial space in the new Maroochydore CBD is building momentum with more than 40 per cent of a new sustainable office building already leased.

Construction work is expected to start this month on Evans Long’s eight-level Foundation Place building on South Sea Islander Way, with a number of tenants already secured including a law firm, investment company and town planner.

Evans Long has also revealed it will take space in the building which is set to have strong green credentials with a signed agreement to be the first private commercial building on the Sunshine Coast to achieve a 5 star energy rating under the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS).

Evans Long partner, Matt Evans, said the energy efficiency of the $30 million building appealed to prospective tenants.

“It will include the Sunshine Coast’s first green wall, solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) materials,” he said.

“It will also take advantage of Australia’s first underground automated waste collection system and harvest rainwater for grey water use in toilets and gardens.”

Evans said modern businesses considered eco-friendly features “must haves” to attract and retain the right staff but also to reduce their footprint in the region.

SunCentral Maroochydore chief executive officer John Knaggs said the Evans Long building would be a landmark in the 53-hectare city centre.

“The new CBD has been designed as a modern, high tech, clean and green environment which our research shows is the type of environment that growing businesses want,” he said.

Evans said the commercial space would set a new benchmark for commercial space on the Sunshine Coast.

“We are targeting forward-thinking business operators looking for modern facilities, convenience and who want to be amongst the first tenants in the new CBD which will be one of the most digitally advanced city centres in the country,” he said.

“We have had strong interest from a range of potential tenants who want to be part of the new, vibrant CBD.”

Foundation Place has 5006sq m of floor space, including ground floor retail, five levels of office space and two podium levels of car parking.

SunCentral Maroochydore commercial property consultant Jerry O’Reilly said the new city centre was meeting a growing demand for contemporary urban design and infrastructure as well as state-of-the art digital technology.

He said the new international subsea cable, which would be operational in 2020 and would land at the eastern edge of the new CBD on Maud Street, would provide business with Australia’s fastest data connection to Asia from the east coast.

“Businesses that are looking to expand their own operations are identifying the growth opportunities taking place on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

O’Reilly said he was negotiating with a wide array of companies including the finance, legal, hospitality, medical, education, technology and residential sectors, many of which relied on efficient, reliable and fast connectivity.

For leasing enquiries within the Maroochydore CBD contact Jerry O’Reilly on 0408 726739 or email jerry@suncentralmaroochydore.com.au.

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