Walker Tops Out ‘Best Office Block’ on Sunshine Coast

Walker Corporation has topped out on the Sunshine Coast’s most sustainable commercial building at 50 First Avenue.

The office block is adding supply to the city’s constrained market where A-grade space vacancy is at 1 per cent, in the ongoing flight to quality that has characterised the market across the country.

The development of the office building has been described as a “catalyst for jobs of the future” with direct fibre connectivity to the international broadband cable a key drawcard for tenants, which now includes Unitywater as an anchor tenant.

Walker Corporation chief executive David Gallant said the structural completion of 50 First Avenue was an important point in the growth of the city centre.

“We set out to create a world-class, highly connected CBD with workplaces that will attract leading businesses to Maroochydore City Centre,” Gallant said.

“There is no doubt 50 First Avenue delivers the design, amenity and sustainability credentials to support productivity, innovation and talent retention right here on the Coast.”

▲ Walker Corporation chief executive David Gallant at the topping-out ceremony.

Queensland utility provider Unitywater will relocate its Northern Corporate Centre to 50 First Avenue.

Unitywater chief executive Anna Jackson said it was a strategic move to the office tower to support the organisation’s collaborative working model and service delivery.

It’s the first premium commercial office tower in the Maroochydore city centre.

Local MP Fiona Simpson said the completion of structural works was a milestone in the city’s development that “reinforces the momentum under way in the Maroochydore CBD, the confidence in the Sunshine Coast economy and the powerful impact the region is providing for the wider south-east Queensland growth story”.

▲ Rendering of the 50 First Avenue office block at Maroochydore.

The state this month announced it would fast-track the delivery of more than 1800 homes in Maroochydore through the construction of trunk infrastructure under the $2-billion Residential Activation Fund.

The fund is providing $82.9 million towards the development of the Maroochydore CBD precinct, which includes the extension of First Avenue to Dalton Drive, and an upgrade to Maud Street.

Walker executive director Peter Saba said the structural completion of 50 First Avenue signalled the precinct’s progress.

“Maroochydore City Centre is entering a new phase of growth and opportunity and landmark commercial towers like 50 First Avenue are setting a bold benchmark for what’s to come,” Saba said.

The building is due to open in December and Unitywater plans to move in by mid-2026.