160 Ann Street makeover attracts new list of tenants

Four new leases comprising almost 3,000sqm have been secured at the 21–storey building, with two existing tenants expanding their footprint and new tenants taking space in the tower. 

In the largest lease, Central Queensland University (CQU), which already had 5,127sqm in the building, has signed a 10-year lease on an additional two floors spanning 1,633sqm. 

Other deals include Healthy Waterways’ move to the building, having consolidated two separate offices to centralise its operations at 160 Ann Street and Just Digital People, which secured 400sqm in the building after outgrowing its existing premises. 

CBRE’s William Harburg and James Comino, together with JLL, were responsible for introducing the new tenants to 160 Ann Street, whilst Wayne Barnes of JLL Property Management and CorVal were responsible for the renewal and expansion of CQU.

Mr Harburg said the property’s central CBD position attracted Healthy Waterways to the property. 

“Health Waterways was looking to centralise its two separate offices into one CBD location that offered both proximity to public transport and also access to amenity for its staff,” Mr Harburg said. 

The fourth deal involved Queensland Health’s expansion within the building, with the government body securing a further 401sqm in addition to its existing 2,481sqm space in the building. 

Gross rental rates for the building range from $550-$575psqm.  

Mr Harburg said extensive refurbishments undertaken at the property in 2016 had fuelled the recent string of leasing activity. 

“We had four floors to lease, and together with JLL property management we struck agreement on almost all of the space within a few months. Once the refurbishment works were completed, the transactions with the new tenants happened rather quickly. There is only 400sqm remaining in the building,” Mr Harburg said. 

“The central location of the asset and proximity to Brisbane’s major CBD public transport hubs was pivotal in the tenants’ decision criteria.

“The occupier market is increasingly focused on providing an attractive workspace to attract and retain staff. A location that offers convenience, amenity and an improved working lifestyle are important factors.”