ICON breathes new life into a 1960's Canberra office building

ICON breathes new life into a 1960's Canberra office building
Laurence DragomirMay 10, 2018

ICON Developments in partnership with Camlen Property Group have breathed new life into an office building, following an extensive refurbishment which has created a unique offering within Canberra’s Civic precinct.

10 Hobart Place is driving the trend for building owners to refurbish existing property to meet growing market demand in the capital, in order to enhance tenant amenity and attract tenants. Through this refurbishment, two of the building’s ten floors have been radically transformed into chic and flexible workspaces.

With many adjacent buildings being redeveloped into multi-residential projects, 10 Hobart Place provides a point of difference within Canberra's burgeoning Civic precinct, surrounded by a range of commercial, retail and residential buildings. 

10 Hobart Place totals 4,500 sqm of lettable space offering flexible tenancy areas with office space catering for tenants from 65 sqm to 530 sqm.

ICON breathes new life into a 1960's Canberra office building
The refurbished interiors of 10 Hobart Place. Image: ICON

The charm of its 1960’s exterior has been maintained, with the redesign of 10 Hobart Place delivering modern office accommodation with an industrial-inspired aesthetic, including polished concrete floors, exposed ceiling services and glass internal corridor partitioning.

Canberra’s Civic precinct has experienced a significant amount of development activity in recent years in a bid to revitalise the city and make it a more vibrant and attractive place to work, live and visit, and to continue to attract investment.

Working with peckvonhartel on the redesign, ICON has updated end of trip facilities, building amenities, services and tenant spaces to set a new standard for commercial occupiers in the heart of Canberra’s CBD. 

The building now offers new premium end-of-trip facilities, including separate male and female showers, lockers and change rooms, as well as bike storage.

Through this refurbishment, we wanted to stay true to what makes the city unique. Located at the heart of the CBD and surrounded by so much of what gives Canberra its distinct character, the building represents professionalism and style within a corporate business environment.

As a design-focused developer, we always endeavour to create iconic projects that will stand the test of time, and by combining old and new, we believe that 10 Hobart Place does just that. Through this refurbishment we were able to offer cutting-edge office accommodation as well as contribute to the wider urban renewal we have been witnessing in the city.

We really wanted to attract vibrant professionals and establish a creative community within the building which in turn will have a positive impact on the precinct. To promote this cohesion, we have introduced a ground floor café and an 80’s themed basement bar called ‘88mph’ which has been well received by tenants.

- Ashley Murdoch, ICON Developments

ICON breathes new life into a 1960's Canberra office building
10 Hobart Place's premium end-of-trip facilities. Image: ICON

Canberra's Civc precinct has become a highly sought after office market by both the private and public sector, having undergone a transformation in recent years into a mixed-use precinct, adding a diverse mix of residential and ground floor retail amenities within an established office location.

Within the 10-storey building, two floors have concurrently been refurbished however further tenancy options from 180 square metres are available for lease.

The building is located in close proximity of the ACT Magistrates and Supreme Courts, The Australian National University (ANU) Action Campus, and Canberra Shopping Centre.

Laurence Dragomir

Laurence Dragomir is one of the co-founders of Urban Melbourne. Laurence has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience working in both the private and public sector specialising in architecture, urban design and planning. He also has a keen interest in the built environment, cities and Star Wars.

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