The three Green Star global headquarters for ANZ staff in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct is nearly complete, creating a hub for financial services unrivalled elsewhere in Australia.
The financial services industry has now invested more than $1 billion in the Docklands development.
“This modern Docklands precinct gives Victoria’s financial services employees the best working conditions in the country,” Minister for Financial Services, John Lenders, said.
Lenders said Victoria was an attractive place for financial services businesses with a resilient economy, with the majority of Australia’s major fund managers located in the state and a world renowned lifestyle.
“Workers can enjoy outstanding restaurants, cafes, public transport and entertainment options at the doorstep of their place of work.”
The ANZ Centre will be the largest single-tenant building in Australia, with around 290 property, risk and technology staff starting work on Monday.
The building is 80 per cent complete, with some internal fittings yet to be finished.
The $512 million 10-storey project consists of a series of interconnected floorplates linked by bridges. High atriums mazimise light penetration while careful floor planning and positioning take advantage of low sun in winter and high sun in summer.
Sustainable features include an under-floor air conditioning system that uses water pumped from the Yarra River to cool the towers, black and rainwater recycling, solar cells and roof-top wind turbines.
A 200-metre extension to the Yarra River Promenade to Merchant Street has also been created at the expense of the owners, in a bid to reinvigorate the area.
The area of Docklands including the ANZ Centre, along with NAB, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, AXA Asia Pacific and Medibank Private, will host 17,500 financial services employees when it becomes fully operational.
