Strength in diversity

A key feature of a successful company is its ability to continually read the market and move forward through the development of new business models.

Originally founded in 1962 in Perth as a private construction company, Multiplex Group was acquired by global property and infrastructure leader Brookfield Asset Management in January 2008. A new company, Brookfield Multiplex, was formed, with a strategy focused on strengthening all areas of the business and expanding its geographical reach.

To achieve this, the company has set out to develop a successful and integrated business model that covers all aspects of the property life cycle, from development to construction, property services and infrastructure management.

This model has enabled the company to generate a diversity of income streams and to develop a strong portfolio of investment-grade assets. Brookfield Multiplex's expertise spreads across the whole range of property areas to provide benefits for clients, tenants and investors.

One Shelley Street, the final building in the redevelopment of Sydney's King Street Wharf precinct, is an example of Brookfield Multiplex's integrated business model.

Brookfield Multiplex's CEO of Australasian Property, Jim McGreevy, says the company's strategy is to develop, build, own and manage property while allowing operating divisions to contribute to creating a high-performance building that can be run sustainably throughout its entire life cycle.

The five-hectare King Street Wharf precinct now includes 75,000m² of commercial space, 14,000m² of office space, 363 residential apartments, 10,000m² of retail space and entertainment areas, a 200-room serviced apartment complex and a 90-room hotel.

"The area has been transformed into a popular lifestyle destination with restaurants and bars, and is a great place to both live and work," McGreevy says.

Designed by Fitzpatrick + Partners Architect, One Shelley Street achieved a 6-Star Green Star design rating for Office Design. Sustainability features include chilled beam technology to cool the building, carbon dioxide and energy monitoring and an integrated fit-out to minimise materials wastage.

Significant sustainable design features were part of the new Sydney Water Headquarters at Parramatta, allowing the building to achieve a 5-Star Green Star energy rating. The head office, constructed with sustainable building materials, includes an on-site water recycling plant, a rainwater harvesting system, solar panels for energy efficiency and chilled beam air conditioning. Some of the effects of these features are to allow the building to reduce carbon emissions by about 30% and to use at least 75% less drinking water than an equivalent commercial building.

This project, with 23,000m² of office accommodation over 15 storeys, retail space and carparking, was developed, designed and constructed by Brookfield Multiplex, which now also manages the building.

The ability to take on a broad range of projects is demonstrated by the success Brookfield Multiplex achieved with the redevelopment of Auburn Hospital. The new design provides state-of-the-art facilities to support contemporary care models and, to keep the interior spaces light and bright, two central courtyards provide circulation space for the two main wings.

A vibrant external facade and interior colour scheme were developed to integrate the cultural and arts elements and wayfinding package for staff, patients and visitors. Various artists were engaged to develop a scheme that includes interactive and static images.

For more information, contact Brookfield Multiplex, 1 Kent St, Sydney, NSW 2000, phone (02) 9256 5000. Email: info@brookfieldmultiplex.com, or visit the website: www.brookfieldmultiplex.com.

Story by: Trendsideas