Grocon has partnered with prominent Queensland-born artist Danie Mellor to deliver a major public art commission for Brisbane’s newest office tower at 480 Queen Street, Brisbane.
The stunning 350-square-metre rainforest mural has been revealed to the public as part of the completion of the 33-storey tower.
The commission is based on work completed for a project and exhibition with the Edinburgh International Festival in conjunction with The National Museum of Scotland and uses Mellor’s signature palette of blue and white.
The hand drawn imagery of a natural rainforest environment and its indigenous inhabitants has been digitally printed onto laminated glass panels and wrapped around the interior of the 480 Queen Street’s Ravine – a two-level public space that is the main link through the building between Queen and Adelaide Streets.
The commission is one of the largest of its kind for a commercial office building in Australia.
It presents a dramatic visual journey for people travelling the escalator to and from the building’s public park on level 4. The escalators draw people into Mellor’s gigantic landscape, creating a fantastic voyage into the canopy of the rainforest.
Danie Mellor said he was attracted to the commission by the quality of the building’s architecture and the potential to realise a visually dramatic interpretation of his work in such a public domain.
“It has actually exceeded my expectations – I’m thrilled that the artwork adds to and complements the amazing architecture of the building and I hope people will be uplifted when they experience the space,” he said.
“It’s been a fantastic experience because I have met so many talented people who can realise incredibly ambitious projects like this.”
Grocon Chief Executive Carolyn Viney said the artwork enhanced the sensory impact of the Ravine, resulting in a unique and memorable experience for both visitors to the building and its tenants.
“480 Queen Street’s public park is a first for an office tower in Australia, and with Danie’s artwork we can be confident this building will be a Brisbane landmark.
“We see the partnership with Danie as part of Grocon’s commitment to design excellence and our focus on creating shared value for the community, tenants and investors,” Ms Viney said.
Grocon commenced construction of 480 Queen Street three years ago. Grocon is both developer and builder for the project, with DEXUS Property Group (DEXUS) and DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund acquiring 480 Queen Street from Grocon on a fund-through basis.
Tenants have started to move into the 31-storey 6-star Greenstar BVN Donovan Hill-designed building with fitouts being completed for BHP Billiton, Mitsui, PWC, Herbert Smith Freehills, DLA Piper, HLW Ebsworth and Allens Linklaters.
Peter Kelly
0416 159 985
Grocon is Australia’s largest private developer and constructor.
Grocon has 60 years of experience in delivering Australia’s largest and most technically challenging projects, strong tenant endorsement and market-leading client relationships.
Grocon’s construction credentials span all real estate asset classes from the MCG, to Eureka Tower, 1 Bligh St, Governors Macquarie and Phillip Towers, No.1 Martin Place through Crown Casino to the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.
In Queensland it has developed a 15 story office building in Elizabeth Street for the Australian Tax Office and is part of a consortium delivering the 2018 Commonwealth Games Village at Parklands on the Gold Coast.