The City of Sydney hopes the new business innovation space will help tackle the affordable office space challenges facing local entrepreneurs.
Applications are being sought from organisations to act as operator of a new City of Sydney business innovation space that will operate over three floors of what will be Sydney’s tallest commercial skyscraper.
The 53-storey tower at 180 George Street, expected to be completed in mid-2022, is located within Lendlease’s broader precinct between George and Pitt Streets, a joint venture between Lendlease, China’s Ping An Real Estate and Japan’s Mitsubishi Estate Asia.
The business innovation space is part of the new community infrastructure created by the City of Sydney and Lendlease in the 180 George Street precinct, which also includes a public plaza, retail laneways, bicycle hub, public art and a new hospitality venue on the site of the former Jacksons on George.
The lease of the affordable space will run for five years, with a possibility of a further five-year extension.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the availability of affordable office space in the city is critical to the ability of startups to grow.
“Technology entrepreneurs tell us that the lack of affordable office space in the city is one of the biggest challenges they face,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“It is essential that Sydney maintains its status as Australia’s leading knowledge based economy and global city, and we can only do that by fostering and supporting a culture of innovation.
“We’re delighted to be able to offer our startup ecosystem a place in the heart of the city with our new affordable workspace, which will ultimately create more jobs, boost Sydney’s economy, strengthen global connections and make the city a more desirable place to live, work and visit.”
Applicants can review the expressions of interest document and attachments and apply through the City’s online grants management system SmartyGrants. The EOI closes on 14 November 2019.
Applications must include a proposed operating model, program and outcomes. These will be assessed under strict guidelines to ensure they meet the City’s objectives.
Applications should detail:
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