Sunshine Coast Developer Makes First Move on New CBD

Construction has officially kicked off at the new Maroochydore City Centre site, with the start of its first commercial building, the $30 million Foundation Place by local developer Evans Long.

The privately-owned eight-level building, which will comprise office and retail accommodation, will be the first to emerge in the core commercial area of the Sunshine Coast’s new business centre.

The Cottee Parker-designed project is expected to be open by mid-2020.

Evans Long partner Matt Evans said it was rewarding to see the project reach this point in the development process.

“In delivering Foundation Place, we are achieving a lot of firsts,” Evans said.

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The 53-hectare site of the new Sunshine Coast's central business district, formerly Horton Park Golf Club, was purchased by the Sunshine Coast Council for $42 million in 2015.

Sunshine Coast Council-owned company SunCentral, kick-started by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2016, says the new city centre will incorporate smart technology to create a “cleaner, greener city centre”.

Along with the Evan Long’s development, a two-tower 152-unit residential complex by Brisbane’s Habitat Development Group is planned for the precinct.

The CBD will also feature a 167 room hotel by developer Pro-Invest, 100 residential apartments, and 40,500sq m of retail.

“It's truly rewarding to be part of the commencement of construction for the first commercial building to come out of the ground in what will be Australia’s most contemporary, sustainable and connected city,” Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said.

Foundation Place is the first privately owned building on the Sunshine Coast to sign a commitment agreement to achieve a Five Star rating under the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS).