GDI set to build $150m CBD project

GDI Property Group has received approval to build a 19-storey residential and office building on the multi-level carpark site at the corner of Pier and Wellington Streets.

The City of Perth Local Development Assessment Panel unanimously approved the national developer’s project, expected to cost $150 million, at its meeting this morning.

The Wilson car park on the subject site, which provides 595 parking bays and an office tenancy on the ground floor, is expected to be retained and reused for the proposed development.

The proposed development would have 51 apartments across five levels, a 12-storey office tower on top of the existing parking structure and a public plaza.

Each level of office use covers 1,779 square metres of floor space, according to the development application.

GDI head of development David Ockenden said reducing carbon emissions was a focus for the project, including repurposing the existing building.

“We think this is a step change for the industry, dealing with carbon at a root cause,” he said at the meeting.

After the meeting, Mr Ockenden said the timber-hybrid mixed use development would generate daytime and night-time activity for the area while improving safety and vibrancy.

“This approval and these plans pave the way for the adaptive reuse of the Wellington Street carpark which will help transform that part of the City by providing high quality office space, as well as much-needed housing in a key area bordering the heart of the CBD and the Royal Perth Hospital precinct, all in a genuinely sustainable and carbon efficient way," he said.

"Our timber hybrid developments, which go hand in hand with engineered adaptive reuse of existing buildings, are a step change in the way new buildings can be delivered in.

"By building office towers that have such huge savings in both embodied and operational carbon, we are providing the opportunity for CBD office space and housing while genuinely reducing important carbon footprint and significantly improving ESG outcomes."

The City of Perth has supported the development, which sought to revamp an underutilised area in the CBD.

“This part of the city definitely needed a massive project like this,” DAP member and Perth councillor Victor Ko said.

GDI engaged town planner element and Benson McCormack Architecture for the project.

At the meeting, element planning principal Dan Lees said there would be further discussions on the residential portion of the build being used for either build-to-rent or build-to-sell.