The Insurance Commission of Western Australia had been residing in the Forrest Centre on St Georges Terrace, Perth, since its construction was completed in 1986. Spread across eight non-contiguous levels of the building, some staff were still occupying office fitouts from the original construction. An office accommodation strategy was required identified that there was a need to review their workplace strategy alongside to establish the best location and work environment for the Insurance Commission of Western Australia going forward.
Following engagement with Propertysolve, a office accommodation strategy was commissioned. Through the engagement of all staff, a clear understanding of the business requirements, workplace needs, and future direction was established, as well as an estimate of the space required. With these parameters agreed, Propertysolve’s Transaction Management team, adhering to the Insurance Commission of Western Australia’s procurement protocols, approached the market to identify suitable premises and opportunities that could suit.
Premises options were shortlisted, site visits carried out, and negotiations completed, resulting in a sub-lease agreement within the Mia Yellagonga precinct with the anchor tenant, which will then transfer to a head lease at their lease end. Critical in these negotiations was securing a long rent-free period to align with the two-year break requirement on the Insurance Commission’s existing lease. The final lease resulted in the Insurance Commission of Western Australia securing the top four floors of Tower 2, which had not yet been occupied since construction was completed in 2021, providing them a blank canvas to complete their office fitout.
While lease negotiations were underway, Propertysolve Project Management implemented a project management plan and procurement strategy to facilitate the design and construction of the 6,660 sqm space. Setting and agreeing on the budget and programme were critical to ensure all parties were clear on the parameters that needed to be met.
Once a value for money outcome was reached on the lease transaction, it was critical to the project success that the new fitout was fully inclusive for all staff with a key driver being equality for staff with disabilities. In addition, considering the age of the space that staff were coming from it was important to ensure technology, acoustics and modern workplace methodology were incorporated.
Overall, the project resulted in a new modern workplace, in a new building with additional amenity to the previous with a cost competitive commercial outcome that will see the Insurance Commission of Western Australia being able to occupy the space for the duration of the current lease and beyond.
Photos: Evolve Design