Mirvac s transformation of technology park gathers steam

Mirvac’s transformation of technology park gathers steamWork on the transformation of Australian Technology Park is taking shape, as Mirvac Group gets the green light for a world-class innovation hub in Sydney’s Redfern.As the future home of 10,000 employees of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the precinct promises generous public and shared spaces, a mixed-use community building, parks and sporting fields, as well as diverse retail offerings.Development approval was secured in December for the redevelopment which includes three new buildings on the current car parks. First cab off the rank is a nine-storey commercial office building with ground floor retail and childcare. Work has commenced, and is expected to be complete by April 2019.A seven-storey commercial office building, with ground floor retail including a supermarket, will get underway in June, while construction of a four-storey multi-purpose building which features commercial spaces, childcare, retail and gym facilities kicks off in September. The precinct will provide more than 700 car spaces, as well as 600-plus secure bicycle spots across the three buildings.Significant public domain improvement works are also in the pipeline, including roadway reconfigurations, enhanced streetscapes, public art and heritage interpretation at various locations. Mirvac’s general manager of commercial development, Simon Healy, says the revitalisation of ATP is the first critical piece of the Central to Eveleigh corridor transformation and will be a catalyst for the surrounding neighbourhoods.A central component of Mirvac’s vision is restoring the site to its “former status as Australia’s technological powerhouse, through initiatives such as the $2.1million innovation and technology incubator fund and co-working space”.Future work will include the adaptive re-use of the heritage-listed Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops, with new office space positioned to attract innovation and technology tenants and start-up businesses. The Workshops, which were established to service the rapid growth of rail transport during the second half of the nineteenth century, closed in 1989. ATP, created in 1991, is home to 100 resident firms providing more than 5,0 jobs and research positions.The park still houses the most significant collection of Victorian blacksmithing machinery in the world.”We have also developed a heritage interpretation strategy for the precinct, which celebrates the rich historical significance of ATP and conserves the many artefacts on site,” Healy adds.