Image credit: The Somerton Residences
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast CBD is emerging as a commercial hotspot with a destination that blends lifestyle and business.
A Covid-19-inspired boom in Australians relocating to the region added to the previous population growth of 30 per cent to 2021, with more and more people choosing to live and work on “the coast”.
And why not? The Sunshine Coast is expected to continue its growth trend, creating new business opportunities. With a more than $20 billion local economy, almost 36,000 local businesses provide services across healthcare and social services, construction, education and training, retail and tourism.
All this means a thriving business and development office sector that requires high-quality office fitouts with amenities, services and design. To build a great working environment, you need a great office.
As the Sunshine Coast transforms into a major city of the future, with more buildings, offices, public spaces and infrastructure are planned. Local authorities are keen to attract more diverse businesses to the region with local activation projects, priority development areas, and master-planned developments.
Commercial development on the Sunshine Coast
One of the key developments underway on the Sunshine Coast is the Maroochydore City Centre major project.
Billed as Australia’s largest greenfield central business district development, the massive greenfield development includes a $2.5bn two-decade-long project from Walker Corporation. It will transform the 53-hectare precinct into a high-tech coastal CBD.
It will be one of the country’s most sustainable and technologically advanced precincts.
The 160,000 sqm of commercial and retail space will be built to 5 Star Green Star rating requirements.
The business district will also feature about 4000 residential apartments during the next two decades. There will also be a 250-room hotel and more than 40,000 sqm of retail space in the development.
SunCentral in Maroochydore
The commercial hub for the Sunshine Coast CBD project is being planned by SunCentral.
Civil works are completed, as is an internationally designed underground waste disposal system and digital infrastructure facilities.
The first stage will include 38,500 sqm of office space, including the nine-story Sunshine Coast Regional Council head office.
Businesses in the development will also benefit from nation-leading internet services due to the direct connection between the Sunshine Coast and the 550km undersea fibre optic cable, the Japan-Guam-Australia South (JGA-S) cable.
This access to internet capacity has already attracted tenants including a national cybercrime organisation, Critical Infrastructure – Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (CI-ISAC) to the Sunshine Coast.
Office design and fitouts on the Sunshine Coast
While business may be serious on the coast, it is conducted in the most beautiful and relaxed surroundings.
The Sunshine Coast is known for its laidback design style. Taking inspiration from natural beauty, there is a light and airy aesthetic to commercial office design. Neutral palettes, often using pastel blues or other hues, create a calm and fun environment.
Many offices take advantage of indoor-outdoor working spaces, with large windows, sliding doors and open floor plans, to maximise natural light and create a connection between the interior and exterior.
Natural materials are often used to bring warmth and texture to the surfaces, such as timber, stone and wooden beams.
At RAW Commercial Projects, our second home is on the Sunshine Coast with our some of our team based locally and we’re excited to watch it grow.
Find out more about our diverse fitout, refurbishment and interior design work.
