Canberra development company Doma, along with the Goodwin and Kenyon Group, has purchased a site in Barton from the Commonwealth, with the intention to provide new office accommodation in the area. The sale price of the site remains confidential; however the Australian Financial Review reported a figure of “about $38 million”.
Block 3 Section 22 sits adjacent to the Parliamentary Triangle, on the corner of Sydney Avenue and National Circuit in Barton. Doma’s general manager of development, Gavin Edgar, said the company’s preference is to develop 40,000sqm of new office accommodation over one or two buildings, catering to both public and private sector tenants. However, another hotel is not off the table with Doma expecting future demand in the area.
“We expect to start construction in early 2020 subject to planning approvals,” Mr Edgar said.
The site sits next to Little National Hotel, owned by Doma, which was developed in 2012. Doma also run the Realm and Burbury Hotels nearby.
“We have been actively developing in Barton since 2003 when we purchased and developed the old Macquarie Hostel that is now known as the Realm Precinct directly across the road,” said Doma’s managing director, Jure Domazet.
The site is a habitat for the golden sun moth, which is listed as a critically endangered species nationally. The sale of the site has sparked controversy, with some residents and advocacy groups suggesting clearing the site for construction would destroy this habitat completely.
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