The demolition of Old Cavenagh House which commenced in May is on track for completion at the end of October.
This $75 million construction plan has been accelerated by one year, providing an immediate and much needed boost to the local construction sector and Territory economy.
The new Manunda Place in the heart of Darwin CBD, will boast an environmentally friendly nine-storey office tower, creating 250 construction jobs and will become the new headquarters for the Department of Health.
The buildings architecture will be suited to Darwins tropical climate, featuring internal atriums, high energy efficiency with a minimum 5 star rating, a rooftop garden and shading and greening at street level to help reduce heat loads in the CBD.
With Department of Health (DoH) as the anchor tenant occupying 7000 m2, the Department of Corporate and Information Services (DCIS) will be relocating its shared services functions from Casuarina and Palmerston to the new building.
When completed in 2020, Manunda Place will house over 800 Government staff with nearly 300 public servants relocating from Casuarina and Palmerston to work in the CBD.
In addition to the construction of Manunda Place, building owner Sandran are developing other projects that will contribute to the revitalisation of the CBD including:
- upgrading Energy House with a green faade and childcare centre on the ground floor;
- a new 320 bay public car park in Litchfield Street; and
- providing a capital contribution to the City of Darwin for upgrades to Litchfield Street.
As noted by Minister for Corporate and Information Services, Lauren Moss
The Territory Labor Governments number one priority is creating local jobs.
This fast-tracked project creates 250 construction jobs with a 95% local contractor commitment by the developer.
Over 800 NT Government staff will be relocated to Manunda Place, nearly 300 of them relocating to the city - contributing to the revitalisation of the Darwin CBD.
As noted by the Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles
The new building, along with the other activation measures offered by Sandran, will refresh and breathe life into an underused part of the CBD, creating a Cavenagh Street/Litchfield Street precinct.
With architecture suited to Darwins tropical environment, featuring internal atriums, high energy efficiency with a minimum 5-Star rating, a rooftop garden and shading and greening at street level, this is a very exciting project.
