Quarter space snapped up

Commercial space at the Quarter is being snapped up fast as the project nears its expected completion date in July.

About 60 per cent of commercial sites are already either leased out or under negotiation.

Confirmed occupants include Just You Beauty and a new restaurant on the ground floor, as well as 11 State Government agencies to take up the entire second floor.

An announcement on three more ground-floor tenants is expected to be made in coming weeks and a further 500sqm of office space is under negotiation for the upper three levels. LandCorp chief operations officer Dean Mudford said the project was looking to finish on time and on budget.

Just You Beauty owner Deborah Napier said she saw the move as an opportunity to expand the business.

"I think it is going to look fabulous - that is part of the reason I wanted to be part of it," she said.

"I'm hoping to employ more people and I've been doing traineeships for a long time, so hopefully I'll be able to do more."

Mrs Napier said this would be her last move, having been in her current premises for about 20 years.

LandCorp is seeking quotes from local curtain and blind companies to fit out the commercial building, and is also seeking quotes from local contractors for the cleaning of offices, landscape maintenance, security and waste removal.

Two solar panel systems are also being installed - one on the roof of The Quarter HQ and the other as part of a shade structure installation on the top deck of the carpark - which could make the Quarter the first Pilbara building to achieve a five-star National Australian Built Environment Rating System rating.

Mr Mudford said the apartments would help activate and support city centre business.

"Available from July 1, 2016 for an affordable rental of $300 per week, each apartment will have access to an undercover car bay and be powered by a solar panel system to help reduce power bills," he said.

"Since registrations opened at the end of January, we have had solid interest from the market.

"We anticipate a greater level of inquiry once the display apartment is open for viewing."

Mr Mudford said a suitable proponent for the hotel site had not been found after an exclusive working agreement with Ramtron was ended last year.

Four pieces of art designed by local indigenous artists have been commissioned for the project.