JLL helps Empire Steak claim on Little Collins Street

Empire Steak aims to balance speedy service with perfectly cooked meals. Photo: Supplied

Owner Dean Sholl had been thinking about the idea for a quick-service restaurant for more than 10 years.

“The idea wasn’t fully formed yet, but it kept niggling at me,” Sholl says.

Serving steaks quickly that were cooked to perfection was the only thing holding him back – he wanted to be able to ensure consistency and quality.

“Once we nailed the cooking technique, it was game on,” he says.

Empire Steak sources grass-fed beef locally that is “aged to perfection”. Steaks are lightly basted and the technique ensures every part of the protein is cooked evenly at a consistent temperature.

“We really tried to get that balance – between being a fast food outlet but also really focusing on the produce,” Sholl says.

So is it lunchtime yet?

There are seven variations of the steak sandwich on the menu as well as a vegetarian “anti-steak” version, which swaps out meat for crumbed mushroom, and a smaller-sized kids’ sandwich.

Also on the menu are salads, side dishes, sauces and premium dips.

JLL, on behalf of Grocon, leased the premises to Empire Steak. The store design is by BrandWorks and Zone Design.

“Once I got a briefing on the Empire Steak concept, we worked closely to present opportunities to grow their brand in Melbourne,” says JLL’s Victorian head of retail leasing, Mitchell Humphreys.

“In a very competitive CBD hospitality market, you need to harness relationships with exceptional experienced operators who are rolling out quality, unique, well researched and well branded products.”

He says the property had wide appeal for its desirable CBD position and the tenant was a good fit for the location.

“Empire Steak brings something new to the area and will appeal well to the CBD market,” he says.

The quick-service restaurant sector has seen a big growth in the last couple of years, according to JLL, with Melburnians eating out more frequently but at a lower dollar spend per head.

More JLL leasing deals

Sydney

FXCM Australia has leased a 334-square-metre A-grade office suite at 383 Kent Street, Sydney, from DEXUS Property Group for $685 per square metre net. The property is a newly fitted suite with good lift exposure, floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty of natural light, an efficient floor plate and views across Darling Harbour. The lease was negotiated by JLL’s Will Hamilton and Justin Hayes.

Melbourne

Vocational Education and Training organisation, Harward International College has leased 278 square metres from Ausvest Holdings to occupy Level 4, 213-215 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Harward International College will occupy the standalone education space on the south side of Lonsdale Street between Swanston and Russell streets for a three-year term. The property is adjacent to the QV precinct and well serviced by buses, trams and trains. JLL senior leasing executive Zak Seccull brokered the deal on behalf of Ausvest Holdings. “Harward International College were attracted to the building due to its close proximity to the Melbourne Central Train Station and the Swanston Street retail amenity,” Mr Seccull said.

Port Adelaide

A discount pharmacy chain has leased an industrial warehouse of about 10,000 square metres at 30 Bedford Street, Port Adelaide, from an undisclosed vendor for $425,000 per annum net. The lease term is seven years with an option to renew. The property is a modern warehouse in a location with access to all major transport corridors. It comprises 10,000 square metres of high-clearance space on a large site of 2.1 hectares with two road frontages. The property has been leased as a distribution and storage facility. The deal provided rental uplift for the landlord and JLL’s Kym Hutchins negotiated the lease.

Banksmeadow

Interfreight International has leased 285 square metres of office space at Suite 5.01, 1753 Botany Road, Banksmeadow, from Exell Properties for $218 per square metre gross plus GST. The lease term is five years. The property is a modern office building with views across Botany Bay, Sydney Airport and towards Sydney the CBD. The building is opposite the Botany Golf Club. The lease was negotiated by JLL’s Edward Washer and Jessica Male.

Melbourne

An Australian online forex trading company – EightCap – has secured 196.7 square metres to occupy a half floor on Level 11, 356 Collins Street, Melbourne, on a four-year lease term for $485 gross per square metre. JLL senior executive, office leasing, Zak Seccull and Scott McGlone, of CBRE, negotiated the deal on behalf of Peach Tree Capital. The building is undergoing a major refurbishment to the ground floor and end-of-trip facilities. According to agents, speculative fit-outs within the building offered to attract new tenants have resulted in five leasing transactions in the past six months. Mr Seccull said: “The owner has adopted a proactive approach by completing refurbishments and smaller suite fit-outs to meet the current tenant driven market conditions to great success.”