Charter Hall and BGRE secure major leasing at East End Place

Charter Hall Group (Charter Hall or the Group), on behalf of one of its managed funds, Charter Hall Prime Office Fund (CPOF), together with its partner BGRE, has secured lease agreements for 95% of the commercial office tower at 111 Bourke Street Melbourne, part of the East End Precinct.

In the latest lease deals, AusNet and Australian Retirement Trust have agreed to a combined 19,000sqm of space at the repositioned 111 Bourke Street tower. Following these commitments and with a further flexible space transaction currently being secured, occupancy will increase to 95%, demonstrating continued leasing momentum across the precinct. This follows the strategic repositioning of East End Place in 2025 and ahead of EY's relocation of its Melbourne workforce later this year.

Strong customer demand has driven more than 43,000sqm of leasing transactions at 111 Bourke Street over the past 12 months, further strengthening the precinct’s position as a workplace destination of choice. The only remaining availability comprises four fully fitted suites, which have recently achieved practical completion.

AusNet, Victoria’s largest diversified energy network business, has committed to approximately 17,000sqm across the building on a 10-year lease, with occupation scheduled for late 2027. The move will consolidate AusNet's CBD Melbourne workforce within a single, modern workspace, supporting greater collaboration and connectivity across the organisation.

AusNet CEO, David Smales, said, “As Victoria's energy needs continue to grow, this move will help us bring our teams together to work more efficiently and deliver the investments needed to keep energy reliable and affordable for customers into the future.”

Leading Australian superannuation fund, Australian Retirement Trust will lease 2,200sqm, with expected occupancy from early 2027.

Charter Hall Office CEO and Institutional Client Services, Carmel Hourigan, said, “We are thrilled to welcome AusNet and Australian Retirement Trust to 111 Bourke Street. These commitments reflect the strength of the relationships we have built with our tenant customers and the trust they place in Charter Hall as a long-term property partner.

“Australian Retirement Trust’s decision to expand its partnership with Charter Hall, together with AusNet’s commitment to 111 Bourke Street, reflects the strength of the precinct and our focus on delivering outcomes that support our customers’ evolving needs.”

The East End Place precinct combines premium office accommodation with retail, wellness and end-of-trip facilities, flexible workspace amenity, and strong connectivity to Melbourne's key civic and commercial destinations. Further enhancing its appeal to occupiers, 111 Bourke Street is now fully electric, becoming the first existing asset in Melbourne to achieve full electrification across an integrated office and retail precinct. The base building will be powered entirely from 100% renewable electricity through a long-term renewable power purchase agreement. It has so far achieved a 6 Star Green Star Buildings (Design Review) rating, reinforcing its market-leading sustainability credentials are on track to deliver a sustainable building and future-ready workplace.

BGRE President and Co-Head of Real Estate in Australia, Danny Poljak, said, ‘We’re delighted to welcome AusNet and Australian Retirement Trust to our 111 Bourke Street community. These transactions are deeply reflective of the trend we have seen playing out in major Australian markets in recent years, with occupiers preferring buildings that are well located, offer high amenities grounded in sustainability, and deliver an enhanced tenant experience.”

Charter Hall Fund Manager CPOF, Miriam Patterson, said, “These leasing outcomes reinforce the resilience of prime office assets in Melbourne’s most sought-after locations. Demand continues to concentrate in high-quality precincts, with organisations increasingly prioritising location, amenity and accessibility. East End Place’s position within the eastern end of the CBD continues to attract leading organisations seeking the qualities that underpin long-term leasing performance.”

Knight Frank and Colliers were the leasing agents on these transactions.