Nine Entertainment is close to selecting the location of its new Sydney headquarters, with the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park as the lead candidate, according to The Australian Financial Review.
Nine recently sold its central hub of television studios at Willoughby which was the site of Australia's first television broadcast in 1956 where the late Bruce Gyngell uttered the words, "Good evening, and welcome to television".
The Willoughby site sold last year to a Hong Kong developer, said The AFR.
A shortlist has been compiled over the past 12 months for the new HQ, with other site options including include Mirvac's Harbourside development, North Sydney's CBD and the Gore Hill business precinct.
No spokesperson from Nine has confirmed the reports. A spokesperson told The AFR the group was still reviewing options.
According to some sources, the company had narrowed its search with Moore Park EQ included in the top selection.
A further option is Gore Hill, a technology and business park according to The AFR.
Formerly the Sydney Showground, Moore Park EQ was sold to Sydney triumvirate Gerry Harvey, John Singleton and Mark Carnegie in 2014.
Nine, if it chooses EQ, would be housed in a new purpose-built headquarters on Park Road North on the side of the precinct near the Showring and Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground, sources said.
The Nine Network sold its historic Willoughby headquarters in Sydney to a Hong Kong property investor for $147.5 million.
The Sydney north shore premises was bought by Euro Properties after being on the market for five months, with a concept plan for the development of up to 400 residential dwellings and two rows of terrace houses approved last year.
