SOARING high over Corio Bay the new headquarters of health insurer GMHBA have reached its highest point, as developer and property private equity company Quintessential Equity tops out construction of the $100 million development.<\/p>\n
Topping out \u2014 also called topping off \u2014 is a construction tradition where builders celebrate the completion of construction and the placing of the final structural beam.<\/p>\n
The topping out of 60 Moorabool Street\u2019s ninth floor was marked with a ceremonial tree planting attended by local MP Christine Couzens, Deputy Lord Mayor of Geelong Trent Sullivan, and project partners Kane Construction and GMHBA.<\/p>\n
Quintessential Equity, Executive chairman Shane Quinn, said the construction milestone is a significant achievement given the challenges faced over the past 12 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so proud to be celebrating this major milestone, which underscores our continued commitment to the growing business community in Geelong,\u201d Mr Quinn said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team has worked tirelessly to get to this point and we\u2019re on track to provide our tenants the opportunity to work within this dynamic and sustainable office space within months.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the new building added to the redevelopment of central Geelong as an exciting destination to live and work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project will create more jobs for Geelong workers, and strengthen our local economy,\u201d Ms Couzens said.<\/p>\n
Set for completion by mid-2021, the development aims to cater for the growing talent and businesses relocating to Geelong.<\/p>\n
Local jobs were a priority from the turning of the first sod and to date over half of the jobs created to deliver this project have come from within Geelong.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the outset, we were committed to ensuring this project maximised social and economic outcomes for the region. We are well on track to exceed our local job creation target and deliver on our promise to support Geelong\u2019s economy,\u201d Mr Quinn said.<\/p>\n
Through the lifetime of construction the project is anticipated to inject more than $50 million into the local economy.<\/p>\n
Kane Constructions is the project\u2019s construction partner. Project director, Sam Birdseye, has led and managed the build.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud that we can play our part in helping the revitalisation of central Geelong, and providing major economic and social benefits to the region,\u201d Mr Birdseye said.<\/p>\n
Featuring over 11,000 square metres of net lettable area, the building is already 75 per cent pre- leased, with its anchor tenant and project development partner GMHBA signing on prior to construction commencing.<\/p>\n
Claire Higgins, chair of GMHBA, says the leading health insurer is looking forward to having all staff under the one roof in the company\u2019s home town.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that this building will bring some much needed vibrancy and positivity back to Geelong and the city centre,\u201d Ms Higgins says.<\/p>\n
Including retail and commercial space, the mixed-use building will accommodate over 900 employees and offer an underground car park with vast end-of-trip facilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SOARING high over Corio Bay the new headquarters of health insurer GMHBA have reached its highest point, as developer and property private equity company Quintessential Equity tops out construction of the $100 million development. Topping out \u2014 also called topping off \u2014 is a construction tradition where builders celebrate the completion of construction and the […]<\/p>\n