Google is the latest business considering moving its Melbourne CBD headquarters west, eying a $1.2 billion Docklands office nearing completion, according to sources.
The Alphabet Inc subsidiary is speculated to be looking at c3100 square metres covering the top three floors – 32 to 34 – at 699 Collins Street, in Melbourne Quarter, opposite Southern Cross Station.
It is presently at the historic T&G Building at 161 Collins St – owned by US-based Pembroke – where it committed to 1300 sqm in 2018.
Lendlease is developing and is responsible for the leasing of 699 Collins St, also known as 693 Collins St, but it won’t be the owner after selling the asset on a funds through basis for $1.2 billion in 2022.
The buyer, the National Pension Service League of Korea, acquired the 70,000 sqm investment with full occupancy.
A Lendlease spokesperson declined to comment about any Google deal.
To date the group has filled about a third including to Medibank Private, which pre-committed to 17,500 sqm prior to construction.
That tenant was also reported to have taken out signage – though with the design of the property, two tenants could take out a display – a skyrise one, which Google might consider.
The Seven Network meanwhile leased 4500 sqm late last year – a downsize from a nearby Harbour Esplanade base.
Wesfarmers backed OneDigital, behind the OnePass member benefit scheme, also recently committed to a small space in an established Melbourne Quarter building, for an initial five years (story continues below).
Far from full
Any Google deal would come three years since Amazon announced it would quit its tenancy at 8 Exhibition St, in the city’s east end, for 555 Collins St.
That group is taking 15,000 sqm in the Premium grade 34 storey building being developed by Charter Hall which will hold it with Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC.
Also today, we are reporting professional services giant EY will shift its Melbourne headquarters from the same building, to 111 Bourke St.
Coincidentally, that asset, part of a two- tower complex formerly known as SX1 and SX2, until recently home to Australia Post, is owned by Charter Hall and GIC too.
Eight Exhibition St meanwhile is held equally by GPT via its Wholesale Office Fund and Keppel, which is also Singapore based, for its REIT.
Coincidentally, Google would be the second tenant Lendlease lured from that office, also known as 8EX, having pre-committed real estate agency CBRE late last year to an over-station develop over the Town Hall Metro, opposite Flinders Street Station.
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