The Brisbane business and freehold is being sold by the O’Rourke family.

The art deco building, developed in 1917 according to its website, will host upcoming performers Rick Astley and Jose Felliciano.

Website www.couriermail.com.au did not publish an expected sale price. The hotel sits on a 2160 square metre block.

The contract value to Abigroup is circa A$900 million.

The Queensland Children’s Hospital will be the primary specialist paediatric hospital for the State. Stage 1 early works commenced in January 2009. Abigroup, part of Lend Lease’s Australian infrastructure business, is responsible for Stage 2 of the project delivering a 359 bed hospital and 12 clinical levels.

Lend Lease Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Steve McCann, said this agreement further strengthens the Group’s position in our growth market of social infrastructure.

“Lend Lease has a strong position in managing healthcare infrastructure projects in Australia through our infrastructure and project management & construction businesses,” said Mr McCann.

“We are proud to deliver another landmark project for Queensland.” Stage 2 of the project is due for completion in early 2014

Another 1,200 units will be developed on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Housing Minister Karen Struthers said “The NIMBY (Not in my Backyard) stuff is such a shame.”

“The arguments (for objections) are usually practical things about car parks…but sometimes when we dig a little deeper that’s masking general concern about social housing tenants coming into their neighbourhoods,” she said.

Brisbane Housing Company is co-ordinating the construction of the dwellings.

The demolition of the 17-storey Indigo House will start with removing the current building’s core, with external demolition set for March 2008. The demolition will involve lifting a seven tonne and a five tonne excavator to the roof of the existing building.

GPT expects the demolition to take six months, and the new tower to be completed in 2011.

GPT’s Head of Office Tony Cope said One One One’s striking design and strong environmental initiatives will set a new benchmark in commercial office space for the city.

“One One One is targeting 6 Star Green Star standards and promises to be a distinctive and attractive location for organisations looking to position themselves in Brisbane’s commercial hub,” Mr Cope said.

“With floor plates of more than 1,400 sqm, tenants will benefit from the high level of flexibility that open–plan workplaces provide.”

The project is being jointly marketed by Colliers International and Jones Lang LaSalle, and Mr Cope said construction would proceed irrespective of tenancy pre-commitments.

“We are confident that the current vacancy rates and limited supply coming on-line will ensure that Brisbane is a ready market for space of this calibre,” Mr Cope said.

As well as 6 Star Green Star, One One One Eagle Street is modelled to provide energy savings exceeding the 5 Star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) scheme with benchmark technology in lighting and air conditioning efficiency incorporated, and gas fired on-site generation of electricity being considered.

Thermal modelling and sensor activated blinds, which trap the heat between the blind and facade before being ducted out, have been incorporated to ensure maximum energy efficiency and comfort for tenants.

“We have carried the environmental message to the core of the structure with water-saving, energy-saving and indoor environment quality innovations being used as well as sustainable and recyclable building materials,” Mr Cope said.

A water recycling plant, supported by rainwater storage, and river heat rejection will reduce the use of potable water by millions of litres annually.
Floor-by-floor ventilation, and chilled beam technology that increases the supply of fresh air to each floor, have also been woven into the project.

Sustainability continues through the excellent proximity to public transport and provision of extensive bike racks and shower/change room facilities, enabling a reduction in car use.

The GPT Group is one of Australia’s largest diversified listed property groups with more than $4.2 billion in current and planned developments, and has owned the Eagle Street site since 1984.