60 Moorabool Street building completed

WORKERS have started to move into Geelong’s newest office building, the $100 million headquarters for health insurer GMHBA developed by Quintessential Equity.

Located in Geelong’s CBD, 60 Moorabool Street is the first major new development to be completed in the region since COVID-19 and has been delivered on time and on budget.

Partnering with Kane Constructions on the build, the project has injected more than $50 million into Geelong’s economy and was completed last month.

60 Moorabool Street is a nine-level office building designed by Cox Architecture and will eventually become home to about 900 workers, including all of GMHBA’s staff.

The building, which is 75 per cent pre-leased, features more than 11,000 square metres of net lettable area.

Anchor tenant and development partner GMHBA signed on before construction starting, with other tenants including Morris Finance and EML Group.

Quintessential Equity executive chairman Shane Quinn said the completion of 60 Moorabool Street was an important contribution to the growth and transformation of Geelong’s growing business community and economy.

“We’d like to thank GMHBA, and the wider tenant community moving in, for trusting us to develop their new headquarters, and to congratulate the design and construction team on doing such a fantastic job in creating this landmark,” Mr Quinn said.

“This city-shaping building has been integral to the growth and transformation of Geelong’s business community – and it is a testament to our team to have delivered this project on time, given the constraints of the pandemic.”

GMHBA chief executive officer David Greig said the insurer had been an integral part of the Geelong community for 87 years.

“Our investment in this new head office represents a continuation of our commitment to our local members and to the future of the region.

“GMHBA is a passionate contributor to our vibrant local economy and we have ensured that the majority of our new head office spend has stayed in the region, while also engaging more than 370 local workers on the new head office building site.”

Demonstrating a commitment to tenant health and wellbeing, the building is already recognised for its 5-star Green Star Rating, and 5-star NABERS Base Building Energy Rating.

Mr Quinn said he was committed to helping Geelong transform its business landscape and provide a real alternative to Melbourne’s CBD.

“I’m a strong believer that when you build the right buildings, the right people come,” he said.

“We’re seeing more and more demand for premium green, healthy office space in Geelong – simply because businesses previously haven’t had access to this kind of office accommodation.

“60 Moorabool Street provides a canvas for businesses to design the workspace they want.”

The building’s official opening event will be held in September.