News

CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES AT RIVERWAY PLAZA

Riverway Plaza construction commencement has been officially marked by a Smoking and Blessing Ceremony performed by the Wulgurukaba Walkabout Group, the traditional owners of the land followed by a sod turn with Mr Aaron Harper, MP, Member for Thuringowa and Councillor Mark Molachino GAICD. Geon Property is excited to deliver the redevelopment of Riverway Plaza which is set to transform the precinct into a contemporary, family-friendly centre. 

CINEMA, BOWLING ALLEY AND CLIMBING FACILITY PART OF NEW DEVELOPMENT

Geon Property has submitted plans to Townsville City Council for Stage 4 of the Fairfield Homemaker Centre. The proposal is set to transform FHC into a mixed-use precinct, complementing large format retail with entertainment and retail activities. The application includes plans for Urban Climb, a cinema and bowling alley along with specialty retail and dining facilities.

MAJOR EXPANSION OF RIVERWAY PLAZA TO BREAK GROUND

Geon Property is proud to announce construction of onsite works at Riverway Plaza will commence in the coming weeks. It is the first major project to get underway since the devastating flooding which hit many of Townsville’s key retail and commercial centres.

Local builders, Phoenix Constructions expect the Riverway Plaza redevelopment will generate between 200 and 250 jobs during construction and will be targeting letting contracts to 100% local trades.

POP UP FOOD FAIR SHOWCASES NEW STORES AT FAIRFIELD HOMEMAKER CENTRE

The Pop Up Food Fair was held on the evening of Thursday 29 November at Fairfield Homemaker Centre to celebrate Christmas and the opening of Stage 2. The carpark was transformed with 10 amazing food trucks, retailer stalls and competitions, petting zoo, live music, climbing wall and many other free family-friendly activities. Even Santa Claus himself stopped by to stock up his sleigh with a few gifts ahead of the big day.

The event was a great opportunity to showcase new retailers to the community while activating the centre and providing free entertainment for local families to enjoy.

URBAN CLIMB TAKES RECREATION TO NEW HEIGHTS AT ALBION EXCHANGE

Albion will be home to an Australian-first indoor sport climbing facility catering for everyone from the age of 3 to 70+, from beginners to elite athletes, when Urban Climb opens its flagship centre at Geon Property’s $750m four-hectare Albion Exchange development.

Australia’s leading indoor climbing operator, Urban Climb, has put its hand up to be the first major tenant in the $750m Albion Exchange project which is planned to start construction in early 2020, subject to development approval.

Urban Climb will set the pace for fitness, health, wellness and lifestyle operators coming to Albion Exchange with a state-of-the-art, 15-metre-high indoor climbing wall plus space for climbing and fitness classes, training and co-working spaces.

With sight lines to the climbing walls from Lutwyche Road, Urban Climb will be a new landmark for Albion, particularly when lit at night.

It’s all part of stage one of Albion Exchange which will include residential apartments, retail space, more than 4900 sqm of new green space which will be open 24 hours a day for public use, and integration with the future North Brisbane Bikeway.

Geon Property senior development manager Tim Rossberg said, “Geon and Urban Climb have a great working relationship and they were very quick to stake their claim to be part of Albion Exchange.

“Apart from the terrific location opportunity, Urban Climb recognised that at Albion Exchange we are working to provide facilities which help to build community and they are likeminded in their approach.

“During the design process, Urban Climb worked closely with Geon Property to shape a custom-built tenancy within the elevation of our western edge.

“It was comforting to have a tenant so passionate about their business and be so invested in the design-making process.”

Urban Climb CEO Alex Cox Taylor said, “In Albion Exchange we saw a great opportunity to create a climbing facility which is situated within a transport-oriented development, so people can climb before work, after work or as they pass through Albion on their way to or from work.

“We like to integrate climbing into people’s lives as a daily health and fitness activity. It’s certainly not something that you have to travel miles for once every few months.

“For us, climbing isn’t competitive. It’s not me versus you. It’s us versus the wall and that approach builds community.

“People come to Urban Climb for the social network and the community, as well as the skills and fitness which climbing develops.”

Mr Cox Taylor said facilities like Urban Climb at Albion Exchange would become increasingly important as people’s lives got more and more busy.

“A facility like this allows people to embed climbing into their daily routine. They’ll either walk from their home before or after work, or they’ll hop off the train to climb before continuing their journey.

“At Albion Exchange, they’ll also be able to integrate their exercise with other aspects of their social life with all of the food and beverage offerings in the plaza area.

“What we liked about Geon Property is that they are forward thinking and also really committed to creating community at Albion Exchange. That’s important to us.

“Albion Exchange will be the very first in Australia to have a rope climbing venue like this truly embedded into the project.

“It’s great for climbers but it’s also a great aesthetic for the neighbourhood,” he said.

Geon Property has been shaping the vision for the Albion Exchange precinct for two years, working in collaboration with Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Albion Exchange will establish a new and vibrant heart for the Albion community, with multiple new public spaces, high-quality public transport and convenient retailing.

Mr Rossberg said, “Albion Exchange will change the face of Albion for the better. It will bring new life to land which is currently underutilised and essentially blocking off vital east-west connections for pedestrians and cyclists.

“Albion is a suburb on the rise. It’s one of the fastest growing areas in Brisbane and by 2036 the suburb’s population is estimated to grow by more than 3,857 residents.

“Having Urban Climb as a central part of our lifestyle and fitness offer will bring a whole new dimension to the project.”

Urban Climb Albion facts:

• Numerous climbing walls up to 15 metres wrapping the perimeter of the space
• Varying degrees of difficulty, catering for beginners through to elite climbers. Top rope, bouldering and lead climbing.
• Difficulty is achieved by varying the angle of the wall (overhanging, vertical, slab) and the positioning of climbing holds reflecting yellow (beginner) through to blue, purple, green, red and black (elite).

CEO, BEN GRIFFIN, SPEAKS WITH ABC RADIO

Geon Property’s CEO, Ben Griffin, enjoyed speaking with Rebecca Levingston and John Taylor yesterday on ABC Breakfast Radio about Albion Exchange.

You can listen to the full interview here

GEON PROPERTY LODGES DA FOR CONNECTED WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT

Responding to the demand for more commercial space for warehousing, Brisbane-based developer Geon Property has lodged a development application for an innovative warehousing facility in Seventeen Mile Rocks.

The 8,081m² site at 28 Jennifer Street is expected to lure major e-commerce retailers to the western Brisbane suburb with customisable spaces and connections to major arterials as key drawcards.

Geon Property Development Manager Glen Wright said strong growth in e-commerce was driving demand for more warehouse space connected to metropolitan areas.

“With so many of these online retailers offering same-day or next-day delivery, the need for commercial space which is close to urban areas is clear,” Mr Wright said.

“28 Jennifer Street is only 20 minutes from the Brisbane CBD, 45 minutes from the Gold Coast and 25 minutes from Australia Trade Coast and Brisbane Airport, which is ideal for those looking to create more efficient distribution across the city.

“Uniquely, tenants are also being invited to work with us at this design stage, to ensure their new space is configured to meet their specific needs.

“The space offers the flexibility of either welcoming one major tenant, or two tenants sharing the space.”

According to the most recent NAB Online Retail Sales Index, online retail grew by 17.7 per cent in the year to June 2018, and online retail from SMEs grew 23.2 per cent in the same period.

“Many commentators have been speculating on Amazon’s effect on the market for warehouse space in Australia, but what this commentary is missing is the huge growth in home-grown business in the e-commerce space.

“The Australian marketplace has launched many ecommerce household names like BlackMilk Clothing, The Iconic, Edible Blooms, even Lorna Jane and many, many more.

“We think Brisbane is a fantastic incubator for entrepreneurial businesses like these, but recognise that many need adaptable spaces in close proximity to urban areas, to meet the needs of their growing customer bases.”

The development will incorporate a total of 2,561m² of warehouse space, up to 1,556m² of office space and 606m² or more of hardstand.

 “It’s an adaptable space, which is well connected to major arterials, public transport and active transport infrastructure, so it could really suit any number of uses,” Mr Wright said.

“Warehousing and office space needs to meet the demands of 21^st century workforces to encourage employees to fringe areas, so we have incorporated a range of CBD-standard facilities as part of the design.

End-of-trip facilities and bike racks; demonstrate some of the employee-focused elements of this outstanding design and of course the office space offers views across Rocks Riverside Park to the city.

“While this site provides a great opportunity for those in Brisbane’s western suburbs to work locally, it also features exceptional connectivity to other areas, with a bus stop just 200m away and more than 80 off-street carparks for commuters.”

“We look forward to working with tenants to configure the space to suit their business.”

Expressions of interest are now open through CBRE and LJ Hooker Commercial.

GEON PROPERTY LODGES DA TO KICK START THE ALBION TRAIN STATION PRECINCT REDEVELOPMENT

Geon Property lodges development application to kick start the Albion train station precinct’s $750 million re-visioning

 Geon Property has lodged a development application for Stage One of the Albion Train Station Precinct Redevelopment and unveiled the name of the $750 million project – Albion Exchange.

The newly launched development is a ten-stage project with community consultation on the future masterplan to commence shortly.

Geon Property senior development manager Tim Rossberg said, “Albion Exchange is set to become Brisbane’s latest mixed-use project and will create a vibrant community heart for the inner-northern suburbs.”

“Albion Exchange is a unique inner-city development which will further the suburb’s modernisation by creating an energised and connected destination.”

Designed by Hames Sharley, Stage One of Albion Exchange will feature a new food and beverage destination, state of the art health and wellbeing offerings, boutique convenience retail and two new multi-level residential buildings.

Together with a $28.7 million upgrade of transport facilities and access to the Albion Train Station, the proposal lodged with the Brisbane City Council also includes 4,900sqm of new green open space and a public plaza connecting the east and west of Albion Road..

Mr Rossberg said feedback sessions on Stage One of the project were well attended, with the community showing a high level of interest in the level of amenity and public space offered by Albion Exchange.

“The size and quality of public amenity in our Stage One proposal will transform the inner-city transit node into a green public sanctuary, with a strong emphasis on community interaction and exchange, legibility and accessibility. Over sixty five per cent of the Stage One site area will be dedicated to public space for the community.

“Albion Exchange will change the face of Albion for the better. It will bring new life to land which is currently underutilised.

“Albion is a suburb on the rise and Albion Exchange is at its heart.  Albion is one of the fastest growing areas in Brisbane and by 2036 the suburb’s population is estimated to grow by more than 3,857 residents.

“Albion Exchange will give Albion back its heart and soul. The total redevelopment precinct covers approximately four hectares stretching as a spine from the Albion Overpass through to the former Albion Fire Station (Merehaye Street).

Stage One – Albion Exchange – sits immediately south and above the existing Albion Train Station, making it a genuine transit oriented development.

Mr Rossberg said, “The Geon Property development team has been shaping the vision for the Albion Exchange precinct for two years, working in collaboration with Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Stage One of the project will include:

• new ticket and office facilities and amenities
• new lift and stair access to station platforms
• replacement of part of the existing park’n’ride car parking with new consolidated undercover facilities
• integration of development with the future North Brisbane Bikeway
• plaza access across the rail corridor connecting Albion east and west

Construction will start in early 2020, subject to development approval.