Cromwell advances Canberra office project with DFAT lease

Cromwell Property Group has confirmed it will move ahead with a new 19,800-square-metre office development in Canberra’s Barton precinct after securing a 15-year lease with a Commonwealth government department.

The six-storey facility at 19 National Circuit will be fully occupied under the agreement, with an option for a five-year extension.

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Government documents indicate the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is consolidating operations currently spread across four Canberra sites into the new building, with a fit-out budget of $85.45 million to accommodate around 1500 staff by October 2026.

DFAT’s existing leases at 44 Sydney Avenue, 51 Allara Street, and 255 London Circuit are due to expire in 2026 and 2027. Bringing the department together in one central facility near Parliament House is intended to streamline operations and improve security. The building will be delivered by Cromwell’s in-house development team, with construction commencing in February 2025 following demolition of the former Australian Labor Party headquarters.

Nettletontribe has designed the project to achieve both 6-star NABERS Energy and 6-star Green Star ratings. Planned features include landscaped green spaces, a porte-cochere entrance, and a retail café on the ground level. The development will also provide 249 basement parking spaces and end-of-trip facilities with 136 bicycle spaces and 18 showers. Security has been a major consideration, with planning documents noting compliance with the Protective Security Policy Framework.

Cromwell chief executive Jonathan Callaghan said the project highlights the group’s confidence in long-term government tenancy and its strategy following a recent business simplification process. “While broader market conditions have made new developments challenging, this project stands out as a compelling opportunity and is a strategic step forward,” he said.

The company described the scheme as offering long-term income stability through its AAA-rated tenant while aligning with Cromwell’s transition to a capital-light investment management model. Originally announced in 2020 and targeted for completion in 2024, the project is now scheduled for delivery in time for DFAT’s lease commencement on 1 October 2026.

Images via The Urban Developer

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