Suncorp Place

Suncorp Place
Suncorp Place from street level
Former names	Qantas International Centre AAP Centre
Alternative names	259 George Street
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Commercial Office
Architectural style	Brutalist
Location	New South Wales
Address	243–259 George Street (18–32 Jamison Street)
Town or city	Sydney CBD
Country	Australia
Coordinates	33°51′51″S151°12′23″E / 33.8641°S 151.2064°E / -33.8641; 151.2064
Current tenants	IBM Australian Institute of Company Directors Memocorp
Year(s) built	12
Construction started	1970 (1970)
Completed	1982 (1982)
Owner	Memocorp Australia Pty Ltd
Height
Height	193 metres (633 ft)
Top floor	182 metres (597 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	44
Floor area	44,252 square metres (476,320 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators	21
Grounds	5,680 square metres (61,100 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Ronald Gilling
Architecture firm	Joseland & Gilling
Developer	Dellingham
Engineer	J. Rudd & Partners
Structural engineer	Miller Milston and Ferris
Other information
Parking	200+
Website
www.259george.com.au
List of tallest buildings in Australia Next Shortest Nauru House 190m Next Tallest Riparian Plaza 200m Heights are to highest architectural element.

Suncorp Place (formerly the AAP Centre and before that the Qantas International Centre) is a skyscraper located in Sydney, Australia on Grosvenor and Lang Street. It was initially built for Qantas by architects Joseland & Gilling, and was completed in 1982.

Description

The building is 182 metres (597 ft) tall and 42 levels to roof, although the rooftop structure brings the total height to 193 metres (633 ft). ^[1] It offers a column free layout with floor to ceiling views of Sydney Harbour & the Sydney CBD and had a dedicated computer centre constructed underground to support Qantas's global airline operations.

Construction

The building was first announced in 1966, with development approval given on 19 August 1968. Construction for Stage 1 of the project began in 1970, targeted for completion in 1973. However, the project was delayed many times due to industrial action by the Builders Labourers Federation (NSW BLF), taking 12 years to finally complete in 1982. The foyer and forecourt was refurbished in 1994 and the building was partially renovated in 1997. Most recently, the lobby was completely refurbished with full concierge service in 2015 and End of Trip facilities named 'Zephyr' added in 2017.

Anchor Tenants

In 2005, Suncorp obtained 10 years of signage rights to the building and leased 15,000 square metres (160,000 sq ft) over 15 floors. ^[2]

In 2018, IBM Australia became the anchor tenant occupying 7,000 square metres (75,000 sq ft) over seven floors with naming rights to the building. ^[3]

Ownership

Initially owned by Qantas Airways Limited, the building was sold to Commonwealth Bank Officers Superannuation Corp in April 1986 for A$ 200 million, making it the largest commercial property sale in Australia at the time. ^[4] In 1999, Commonwealth Property Office Fund (ASX :  CPA) acquired a 50% interest in the property for A$ 127.5 million, and the remaining 50% was purchased in 2005 for A$ 125 million. ^[5] The building remained under their ownership until its sale to Singapore–based Memocorp for A$ 395 million in 2011. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

• 
  The tower in 2006, as then occupied by AAPT Limited
• 
  Suncorp Place
• 
  View from York Street
• 
  Podium

See also

• "DA 44 80 0756 – 243–259 GEORGE ST SYDNEY – QANTAS CENTRE NEW BUILDING JOSELAND & GILLING". Sydney City Council. 29 August 1980.
• List of tallest buildings in Sydney

References

1. "Suncorp Place". The Skyscraper Center. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
2. "Suncorp lured to CBD landmark". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 November 2005.
3. "IBM closes a major new lease deal in the Sydney financial district". Australian Financial Review. 27 November 2018.
4. "Record $200m for Qantas centre". The Canberra Times . 15 April 1986. p. 21.
5. Schlesinger, Larry (28 July 2011). "Sydney's Suncorp building sold for $395 million". urban.com.au.
6. "Offshore buyer snaps up Sydney tower for $395m". Australian Financial Review. 28 July 2011.
7. "City investors reach for sky with deals worth $650m". Sydney Morning Herald. 29 July 2011.
8. "Office blocks are hot property for funds". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 August 2011.