The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is due to launch the tender process for the design of its new Melbourne building.
The $90 million facility is to be built on the corporation’s Southbank property in the next two years, for occupation in June 2012.
The government corporation purchased the 3618sqm building, currently used as a car park, in December 1999 for $5.36m. A residential apartment tower was planned for the site, but this was abandoned after local residents voiced their objection.
The location is adjacent to the corporations headquarters, located at 120 Southbank Boulevard, which will also be upgraded as part of the project, having been originally built in 1994.
In addition to an architect, it is expected a tender for interior designers will also be launched.
When construction begins on the project, which still needs parliamentary approval, it will be the first commercial projects to get underway in Melbourne since 2007.
The strength of Southbank’s residential market has led to commercial broadcaster abandoning their plans to build an office development on the former studios site. Seven is now pushing ahead with a proposal for 237-apartment development.
However despite this, figures from the Property Council of Australia’s show Melbourne’s vacancy rate for commercial buildings rose slightly in the six months to July this year, up 0.1 per cent to 4.8 per cent, compared to an average increase in Australian cities of 2.6 per cent to 7.3 per cent. Southbank had the best result, with vacancy falling from 10.9 per cent to 5.8 per cent.
