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Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has selected Supply Nation-certified Indigenous company Bridgeman to lead construction of a $5.9 million co-working space within Brisbane's Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area, which will accommodate up to 170 workers in a warehouse-style building.
Set to open in early 2025 next to the popular markets at Eat Street Northshore, the hub known as The Wheelhouse will span 1,172 square metres across two levels with flexible workspaces, collaborative meeting rooms, a town hall and event spaces, as well as a communal kitchen area.
The project sits within the $12 billion urban renewal precinct in a development area that is transforming the former industrial site into a vibrant mixed-use precinct where there are also plans to build the athlete's village for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Construction is now under way at the site, where builder Bridgeman is set to support First Nations businesses and people with the use of local contractors, manufacturers and supply chains for goods, services, materials and equipment.
"Positioned as an innovation hub, The Wheelhouse will support the success of startup and scale-up businesses by providing flexible rental spaces and a dynamic environment for creativity and collaboration," says Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace.
"This project aims to cultivate a thriving community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives through the exchange of ideas, networking opportunities, and access to mentoring and support services.
"In addition to the daily work environment, The Wheelhouse will host various events such as workshops, seminars and pitch nights, showcasing the diverse talent and potential within the local SME sector."
Bridgman owner and managing director Adam Sarota says his company reinforces the Queensland Government's vision to "to create and invest in sustainable places for Queensland to prosper".
"As a Supply Nation certified Indigenous company, we are committed to ensuring that we provide leadership, support, and encouragement to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," he says.
"We are dedicated to encouraging partnerships between industries and other Indigenous companies along the supply chain.
"That is why we created the Bridgeman Yarning Circle, a unique Indigenous supply chain network that provides companies with genuine, pre-qualified, accredited and compliant Indigenous companies.
"These companies would never tender for government work directly, but through us they get a chance."
The announcement follows the exit of River City Labs from one of Brisbane's most prominent co-working spaces, The Precinct in Fortitude Valley, an earlier Queensland Government-backed project designed to attract and foster startups to grow and flourish.
The development has certainly achieved that purpose, with River City Labs (RCL) establishing itself there as an early tenant in 2012 before its eventual sale in 2018 to the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Since inception it has welcomed more than 29,000 guests into the community with more than 700 founders calling the space home at one point or another.
ACS announced RCL's departure from The Precinct in January with an evolution to a digital membership model that does not include co-working but does offer exclusive rates through its partner Hub Australia in Anzac Square.
The Precinct is now managed by CoSpaces - an organisation that also manages Cohort Innovation Space, the Queensland AI Hub, LX Health, and OldStation.
The Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur has confirmed to Business News Australia that it has retained its physical office at The Precinct, which it co-shares with Advance Queensland.
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