February 20 2008
Laing O’Rourke has been awarded the design and construct contract for DB RREEF’s new commercial office tower on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets in the Brisbane CBD.
The more than $200 million project will be constructed at 123 Albert Street, on the site of an existing multi-storey carpark, providing much-needed office space in a tight Brisbane commercial market.
The 23-level premium grade office building will boast 36,500m² of new space and will include three basement levels and five podium floors. The project team is working with the client to target a 6 Greenstar design rating and 5 ABGR rating for the building.
The client, DB RREEF funds management, has signed a pre-commitment lease with Rio Tinto for approximately 25,000m² of the space upon completion and Laing O’Rourke is also committed to deliver the integrated fitout for Rio Tinto.
Operations Manager Simon Hinneberg said the bid team, led by Gavin Edgar and including Paul Nunn, Kon Bakafoukas, Stuart Northcote and Tom Moore, should be congratulated for winning the project in a tight timeframe and against a competitive field.
“The bid team has more recently been bolstered with Alan Hastings, Steve Wallis and Andrew Cosgrove who have helped finalise the contract and commenced mobilisation,” Simon said.
He said Laing O’Rourke had offered DB RREEF valuable alternative design solutions to eliminate structural transfers and improve the building efficiency without penalising the concept.
“It demonstrates that the ‘client-led’ approach of listening to what DB RREEF were seeking and responding with an innovative and partnering approach can be a highly successful strategy.”
Simon said specialist Building Information Modeling (BIM) capability from our UK office would be used to assist the team deliver the design in 3D, from concept to integrated fitout.
“Our experience and ability to offer this service was certainly advantageous during the selection process and will put Laing O’Rourke at the forefront of design technology in the Australian construction market,” he said.
As part of the ‘one team’ approach, Expanded will assist with the management of site set-up and demolition works and subsequently deliver the in-ground works.
They will also lead the value management and design development of all retention and excavation systems.
Demolition works at 123 Albert Street have commenced and the construction and integrated fitout will be completed by late 2010.
