Devwest Twins Plot $110m Office Tower in Perth CBD

Twin brothers Damon and Chad Ferguson of Devwest are planning their next project, a $110-million office building in Perth with state government tenants lined up under public sector reforms.

Planning documents list two development companies, Devwest and new entity Urban Flux, as the proponents—both are run by the Fergusons, along with Devwest development director Brett Lovett. 

The Subiaco-based group has lodged plans for an 11-storey building at 80 Francis Street and 95 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge.

The Plus Architecture-designed scheme includes a ground-floor cafe, 220 parking bays, 200 bike storage spaces, a gym and eight floors of office space.

It would replace former European Foods Wholesalers warehouses on the 3979sq m site north of the CBD near the North Metropolitan TAFE.

The office was initially intended for the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), which was renamed Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) under reforms that begin on July 1.

As part of those changes, Russell Barnett was appointed chair of the WA Building and Construction Consultative Committee.

Functions of DEMIRS were redistributed and the department split into two agencies.

▲ A rendering and plans for the office building at 80 Francis Street and 95 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge.

It is not yet clear which agencies will occupy the new building, although reports indicate four offices will be consolidated at the Northbridge site.

According to the design report, the project responds to the tenant’s brief to prioritise wellbeing for the 1800 workers expected.

“Eighty Francis Street is a flagship commercial development designed to accommodate the DEMIRS within a highly sustainable, wellness-oriented and future-proofed building,” the report said.

The project comprises approximately 20,000sq m of A-grade office space across 10 levels.

It incorporates “integrated green infrastructure, flexible floorplates, civic-scaled design and robust public realm interfaces,” it said.

The project is open for public consultation until September 29, after which it will be decided by the Western Australian Planning Commission.