Freedom leases south east Melbourne distribution centre

Greenlit Australia brand Freedom is the seventh business to pre-commit to Fraser Property Industrial’s Rubix Connect estate, in Dandenong South, which is now nearly two thirds full.

Décor leased within Rubix Connect last June.

The furniture chain will occupy a 14,847 facility (artist’s impression, top), just over three per cent (527 sqm) which will be configured as offices.

The storage and distribution centre component will have a 13.7 metre clearance, accessed from 12 recessed docks and three roller doors, beneath a super awning.

The property is also designed with 34 metres of hardstand.

CIP Constructions will develop it; the complex is aiming to be 5-star Green Star rated with rainwater harvesting, solar photovoltaic panels and hot water and sensor lighting.

Freedom presently occupies a distribution centre at Knoxfield, about 27 kilometres east of town.

“This new facility will add to our distribution network, which in turn contributes to a reduction in delivery lead times as we get our goods straight to the doors of our customers as quickly as possible,” the retailer’s general manager, Operations and Information, Pascal Kouknas, said.

Colliers’ Gordon Code was the agent; the initial lease term is 10 years from completion in June.

With the commitment, FPI has now filled about 63 per cent of the 41.3 hectare estate – comprising over 100,000 sqm of internal area.

Other occupiers include Décor, efm Logistics, the Nolan Group and Zenexus (story continues below).

Greenlit in 2020 sold a Moorabbin showroom occupied by Freedom.

Greenlit a tenant client

The Freedom deal comes 30 months since FPI secured its first Rubix Connect pre-commitment to Ozito – for a 19,815 sqm facility, of which about nine per cent will be offices.

“The agreement also furthers FPI’s national partnership with parent company Greenlit Brands, which has leased an 18,869 sqm facility at our Horsely Drive Business Park estate in [west Sydney] New South Wales since 2017,” FPI general manager, Victoria, Andrew Hanna, said.

Concurrently with the Melbourne factory, the ASX-listed landlord will construct an 11,410 sqm tenancy speculatively.

FPI paid $80m for the land making way for Rubix Connect – 875 Taylors Road – in 2019.

Upon completion, it is expected to carry a c$300m end value.

Dandenong South is 31 km south east of Melbourne and 19 km south of Knoxfield.

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.