NEWS
Valley traders will be hoping for a positive spinoff following the recent shift by more than 320 Leighton Contractors staff into one of Brisbane’s most environmentally sustainable buildings, HQ at 520 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley.
The construction giant has brought together many of its divisions and believes it will be better positioned to deliver integrated client solutions. For struggling traders, especially in the central Valley Mall area, the extra workers could well help turn their fortunes around.
In recent weeks alone, the long-standing Holmes newsagency and a convenience store have closed their doors on the mall proper. And remaining traders will be anxious to gauge whether the ever-growing workforce at HQ will make its way to their doors at lunchbreaks and after work knock off.
In addition to being a tenant, Leighton Contractors was also the joint venture developer, alongside Leighton Properties, and design and construct contractor for HQ.
Darren Weir, General Manager, Leighton Contractors Northern Region, said the move was the result of more than three years of planning and development. “We’re proud of our new home, which showcases our edge in green building and world leading, sustainable design and construction,” he said.
“HQ has been awarded a 6 Star Green Star in Office Design v2 from the Green Building Council of Australia, and the building is also registered for a Green Star – As Built rating and targeting a 6 Star Green Star rating.”
HQ’s two towers collectively provide over 40,000m² of commercial office space and 3,500m² of retail space. HQ’s green star features include:
• cogeneration to power the building, burning cleaner and reducing CO² emissions by over 700 tonnes per annum
• 50 per cent greater fresh air into the building than standard
• CO² monitoring to further increase the fresh air automatically as required
• water efficient taps, showers, toilets and urinals
• rainwater capture and storage for toilet flushing and irrigation
• cyclist facilities for approximately 280 cyclists.
The official opening of HQ will be held in July, when Lord Mayor Campbell Newman will unveil a plaque at the development.
