From spirited start-ups to global giants, big deal businesses are calling Northshore Brisbane home, enticed by the world-class facilities at Business Technology Park Northshore (BTP Northshore).

The development venture between financier and multi-strategy alternative investment manager Alceon Group and commercial property experts Graystone has brought refined office space and global commercial interest to the vibrant riverfront precinct.

An influx of tenants have quickly taken up residency at BTP Northshore, conveniently located between Brisbane Airport and the CBD, and with easy access to the M1, onsite parking and public and active transport options.

As part of Queensland’s most significant waterfront urban renewal project, BTP Northshore offers commercial, corporate, and serviced office space.

Innovative companies such as Applied Mining Technologies and Scandia Automation to the global behemoths of Chevron (Ampol), Blue Water Shipping and L3 Harris now call the popular urban business precinct home.

Project Director for Alceon, Paul Huston, believes that with more than 90 per cent of the workforce living outside of the city centre, businesses increasingly desire a city-fringe location that supports the needs of their staff.

“As well as the more prominent companies, we also have small to medium organisations here who have sought the best location for their business as they seek to safeguard the retention of their employees,” he said.

“Hybrid working arrangements, alternate hours or job-sharing arrangements mean facilities such as onsite parking and childcare available through operators like Petit Early Learning, make it easier for employees to get to and from work and do everything they need in between.”

Fur children can also be kept close with Paws and Relax Doggy Day Care conveniently located in the precinct.

“We want tenants to enjoy the same modern design and quality finishes you might get in commercial premises in Brisbane CBD or Fortitude Valley. BTP Northshore is not an industrial park, it is a business park,” Mr Huston said.

“We have created a quality product that allows businesses to upscale their shopfront in a prime river-front location, without the CBD price tag.”

Kirsty Heymink, Director at Graystone, also notes the ease of leasing spaces.

“BTP Northshore has been so well received by the leasing market. Each design is fresh and innovative with the convenience of the location near the airport, CBD and M1 for commuters from both north and south,” Ms Heymink said.

“Some recent tenant arrivals have come from semi-industrial areas a bit further out. They want to step up and provide the facilities of a high-end build with quality finishes while retaining conveniences like car parking. As businesses try to attract people back to the office, offering a quality environment in a convenient location is key.”

Creating Space

Renowned Brisbane architect Blight Rayner have been engaged to create an urban design through a ‘family’ of buildings that complement the sub-tropical environment, precinct heritage and present collaboration through casual/recreational engagement areas through the adaptation of courtyard greenspaces and side entrances flowing out to subtropical gardens with seating.

The core design of the buildings includes external glass, swathes of natural light and view corridors.

“Fostering innovative design solutions in pursuit of environmentally friendly outcomes through the products we use, the site is committed to sustainability with features such as sensor lights in all common areas to reduce energy use,” Mr Huston said.

Ms Heymink adds: “We also have rainwater tanks to irrigate the green spaces. Allowance has been made for future connections of electric vehicle charging stations. And there is interest from owners to install solar panels for the site once the practical completion of the build is complete.”

Tenants can facilitate their fit-outs to suit the requirements of their business with Ms Heymink noting a particular trend towards open-plan office layouts, maximising access to natural light, along with designated break-out areas for collaboration.

During COVID, Alceon recognised an opportunity to support the arts community and forge a deeper connection to place through a design competition.

“In association with Blight Rayner and Sculpture Queensland, we asked artists to pitch concepts inspired by the Northshore area for a piece to go in the lobby of 385 MacArthur Avenue. The project gave us a sense of commitment to the precinct as developers but also created a lasting connection to the community by including an architectural piece telling a part of the story of the Northshore region,” Mr Huston said.

The artwork, Interstices of Place & Time by Queensland sculptor Cam Crossley was commissioned at the end of 2021.

Opportunities for Growth

As Northshore Brisbane transforms from a historic wharf into a premier waterfront precinct, Alceon and Graystone’s development of BTP Northshore is set to deliver ongoing benefits for the area.

With five buildings operational and a sixth close to completion, 20,000 sqm of commercial space has been created, with over 2,000 business occupants already onsite. Up to 350 more office users will move in by the end of 2023.

The sixth building on leafy MacArthur Avenue, scheduled for completion in June, already has a full roster of tenants locked in including Yokogawa, Ingenia Communities and Odyssey Gaming.

The seventh building – set to begin construction this year – will have three levels of accommodation (3,600 sqm) when it opens for business in August 2024.

“There are economic benefits at the local and state levels for every new commercial development,” Mr Huston said.

“Not only employment during the construction process along with the suppliers and the logistic arms that feed that but also once the businesses are trading. It’s the multiplier effect.

“If you start bringing people to work there, that further facilitates residential living. Once you get people living and working there, you develop a hospitality and night-time economy.”

With diverse residential options already built and more in development, employees can fully experience the benefits of urban living.

Working close to home, the morning commute becomes a leisurely walk to the office and after hours, they can find a plethora of options on their doorstep including cinemas, restaurants, bars, gyms, spas, beauty services and gift shops.

Additionally, Eat Street Northshore bursts to life from Friday to Sunday.

Development partner Graystone is firmly committed to the onsite serviced office model that allows start-up businesses to grow from the flexibility of a smaller office.

“They can move into a bigger space and expand within the same precinct if they become the next big thing,” Ms Heymink said.

She also acknowledged that excitement around the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games had put the area under a magnifying glass.

“There is growing enthusiasm around being a part of a precinct that offers the opportunity to be near the excitement of the Brisbane Athlete Village as we build towards 2032.”

With Alceon Group’s commitment to quality as well as affordability, they have created a product with Graystone that is seeing a high uptake of tenancies in BTP Northshore. Enquire here to find out about how your business can call BTP Northshore home now or in the future.

For information about small and serviced office space for rent, visit The Suites by Graystone.