Brisbane GPO hits the market for the first time
Brisbane’s heritage-listed General Post Office is going to market for the first time since it was purpose-built for the colonial Australian Postal Corporation in 1872.
While ownership would remain with the modern-day Australia Post, the government-owned corporation will seek expressions of interest for a 99-year lease for the landmark Queen Street building.
Australia Post chief financial officer Michael Bradburn said a post office would remain at the site.
However, its physical location within the building would form part of negotiations for a leaseback to Australia Post.
“The Brisbane GPO is a landmark building, however, the post office only occupies a very small part of the full site,” Bradburn said.
“By offering a leasehold, we have an opportunity to reinvest in our network and provide our eCommerce customers with fast and reliable deliveries to support their business growth.
“This long-term leasehold offers an ideal opportunity to revitalise an iconic Brisbane landmark and create a thriving precinct ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. We are proud of our commitment to the Brisbane community, and plan to maintain a post office at this location.”
The 5306-square-metre site had about 8000 square metres of lettable area, most of which was vacant.
CBRE Asia Pacific director Jack Morrison, who will manage the EOI process on behalf of Australia Post with colleagues Peter Chapple and Wayne Bunz, said it was a unique listing for the firm.
“The GPO is one of the oldest buildings in Brisbane,” Morrison said.
“It’s an iconic and character-filled property that also presents an excellent value-add opportunity for adaptive reuse for office, hospitality, hotel, or retail – subject to approval.”
The GPO was designed by Scottish-born Francis Drummond Greville Stanley, who was appointed Queensland Colonial Architect in the year after the building was complete.
Stanley also designed the Roma Street railway station, the Queensland Club and All Hallow’s in Fortitude Valley, among other heritage places.
The EOI period will end early next month.
