Geocon's mega Northbourne Avenue project to shape light rail corridor

Canberra developer Geocon has finalised plans for a mega 6200-square-metre precinct on Northbourne Avenue which will further connect the light rail network to the thriving suburb of Braddon.

‘Midnight’ will encompass a 160-room Abode Hotel, 250 residential apartments and 2500 square metres of commercial space.

The nine-storey building will be built on the existing NRMA House site at 92 Northbourne Avenue, opposite the future Eloura Street tram stop.

The $185-million project will bring an extra 200 public car spaces to the area, among three levels of basement car parking.

Geocon revealed the development’s latest details at an official launch on Friday.

Managing director Nick Georgalis said pedestrian connectivity between the tram stop and Mort Street in Braddon was an integral part of Midnight’s design, which also includes a public courtyard.

“The light rail is the most progressive thing to happen in Canberra since the international airport,” he said.

“Midnight will be the first of the high-density developments along the light rail route that will link the tram to the Braddon precinct and deliver vibrancy, amenities and services for the whole community.

“It’s probably the most prominent location in Canberra for a development.”

Geocon snapped up the Northbourne Avenue site for more than $25 million last year.

Since then the number of hotel rooms planned has increased by 20 from an original 140 rooms, while the number of residential units has dropped by 100 from an earlier figure of 350.

Mr Georgalis said changes to the design were about getting the right mix of homes, accommodation and commercial space.

He said the addition of hotel visitors would help foster the precinct’s vibrancy. 

“We tried to [find] that right balance of commercial accommodation and the demand for that; residential apartments and the demand, again, for that; and how that would support the retail and commercial network on the ground floor,” he said.

Commercial offerings could include offices, eateries, childcare and healthcare.

Every hotel unit will face the internal courtyard, while all residential units will face Northbourne Avenue, Eloura Street and Mort Street.

Facilities including a pool, gymnasium, private cabanas and outdoor kitchen facilities will be open to both hotel customers and residents.

​Mr Georgalis expected one of the big drawcards to be a common Canberra bugbear: parking.

​”Not only will there be enormous support for these businesses working here, with the parking, but the entire area,” he said.

Apartments will include a mix of one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-study, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, with prices from $350,000.

Two-bedroom apartments will come in three sizes: compact, standard and large. Three-bedroom penthouses ranging from 128 to 208 square metres will also be available. 

Mr Georgalis said demand for higher density living in Canberra was not slowing amid an apartment boom, with buyers drawn to mixed-use precincts.

He said urban sprawl was not the answer, citing its impact on day-to-day living, travel times and the environment.

The project has been designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects and OCULUS, the architectural firms behind NewActon.

​Geocon has also teamed up with the duo on Belconnen’s mega Republic development, announced in December, which will boast Canberra’s tallest building and the city’s first glass towers.

Fender Katsalidis architect David Sutherland expected light rail to help transform the area from a car-dominated thoroughfare to a pedestrian boulevard.

With commercial businesses facing Elouera Street, tram commuters and passersby could walk through the precinct and make the most of the hospitality on offer, he said. 

Geocon will employ 1500 workers during a two-year construction phase, set to begin mid-this year with the demolition of the existing building. 

The project will be marketed from February and is expected to be completed by mid-2019.