The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has received plans for the first stage of a large commercial precinct in Canberra, which will be bordered by Northbourne Avenue and Mort Street.
A development application from the Amalgamated Property Group (APG) outlines an initiative to replace a previously approved $300 million redevelopment of the site, which is situated next to Veterans Park, Domain reports.
Formerly known as Northbourne Square, stage one of the Civic Quarter represents a 12-storey, 18,000 sq m tower adjacent to the city's light rail route.
Cox Architecture and May + Russell Architects are designing the development, which will replace five separate commercial buildings bordered by Northbourne Avenue and Cooyong, Bunda and Mort streets, if it is successfully approved by the ACT government.
A foyer, retail and commercial space on the ground floor, 11 levels of commercial office space and three levels of basement car parking are all included in the plans for the new building.
Applications to redevelop the site were first approved in 2010 and 2014, with Stockland originally holding plans for a $200 million project comprised of two office and retail towers of nine and 12 storeys respectively.
However, these plans were scrapped after the company fell into a dispute with the ACT government over the change-of-use charge.
Phil O'Brien, managing director of the APG, said he hopes the development will set a new high standard for office accommodation in Canberra.
"Civic Quarter will be the new gateway to the central business district in Canberra - and as such we understand the importance of creating a landmark building that incorporates an elegant and timeless urban design which will meet the workplace needs of the future," he commented.
"This will be Canberra's premier office building."
