Multimillion-dollar precinct slated for Amaroo tipped to become Gungahlin hub

The developers of a multimillion-dollar mixed-used precinct slated for the centre of Amaroo envision the new space will become one of the region’s most sought-after hubs.

Empire Global has lodged plans for the $14.8 million Marquee Amaroo project, which will include about 70 residential apartments across three floors and more than 3000 square metres of commercial space.

The majority of residences will be one-bedroom apartments, alongside a mix of two and three-bedroom units.

Childcare, parkland and residential terrace housing are also slated for the precinct, according to the development application lodged with the ACT Planning and Land Authority.

The building has been designed to complement a Coles supermarket proposed for land directly opposite the site.

Construction manager Claudio Alarcon said the precinct would not only service Amaroo but surrounding suburbs, including new areas like Moncrieff and Jacka.

“I think it’s a hidden gem of Gungahlin, the Amaroo precinct – it’s connected to the major thoroughfare and most Gungahlin suburbs,” he said.

“This has a great prospect of becoming one of Gungahlin’s major hubs.”

Mr Alarcon said he expected construction to begin in an early autumn, subject to planning approvals, and the project to be completed in the first half of 2017.

He said the building would have a distinct design, with a mix of hospitality and other services to set up shop in the building’s ground-floor commercial space.

The design also includes three levels of basement car parking.

“The building has a fantastic outlook,” he said. “We’re doing a high-end precinct with nice glass balustrades and different materials throughout which will make the building a stand-out.

“We’re working very closely with the architects on this project to achieve something special.

“There will be great leasing opportunities for Canberra businesses to thrive in a new area.”

Laing and Simmons commercial managing director Alex Smith said Marquee’s offerings would complement the adjacent Coles supermarket.

“The whole ground floor of this development is commercial space,” he said.

“We’re going to fill it with shops that complement the [Coles] development, creating a fantastic new group centre for the northern region of Gungahlin.”

Mr Smith said allied health services and dining options would be among the sorts of businesses leasing the space.

He said because the project was owned by one group, Empire Global, the mix of shops could be controlled to ensure the make-up was “appropriate for the group centre”.

While there has been some preliminary discussions with prospective tenants, Mr Smith said his agency would begin securing businesses in the next fortnight.

Aside from Marquee, Empire Global is also behind Southquay’s SQ1 apartment complex in Greenway.

The company snapped up the last western block of the new lakeside development in August for $6 million at auction.