The new clients span a range of industries, including consumer goods, technology and healthcare, all of which experienced exponential growth in demand in the last two pandemic-driven years.

The strong activity across Pellicano’s commercial portfolio is reflective of the uptick in confidence throughout the sector, as companies prepare to return their staff to office work after two years of work-from-home arrangements.

Of the new deals, the longest term and largest floorspace was signed by St John Ambulance Victoria – the charity will commence its new lease at 601 Blackburn Road in Notting Hill on 1 June 2022, allowing it to continue expanding its first aid training, services and on-site health services for public and private events.

The full deals schedule is as follows:

Commercial:

• St John Ambulance has signed a 15-year lease (commencing on 1 June) for 5,149sqm of space at 601 Blackburn Road, Notting Hill, negotiated by Mark Spigelman of Lawson Real Estate
• ABB is relocating from 601 Blackburn Road to a new 1,666sqm facility at 597 Blackburn Road, Notting Hill, on a seven-year and six-months lease, commencing on 1 April, negotiated directly through Pellicano
• National 360 will occupy a 237sqm facility at Suite 2/72-80 Monash Drive in Dandenong South, on a two-year and three-month term at $270 per sqm, negotiated by James Treloar of Knight Frank
• Ergo Pouch will move into 401sqm of space at suites 3 and 4 at 13 Corporate Drive, Parkview Estate in Moorabbin, on a six-year term at $300 per sqm net, negotiated directly through Pellicano
• Objectif Lune will move into a 173sqm facility at suite 10 at 13 Corporate Drive, Parkview Estate in Moorabbin, on a five-year term at $300 per sqm net, negotiated through Tom Rothel of Colliers
• DGTEK will occupy a 290sqm facility at suites 103 and 104 at 15 Corporate Drive, Parkview Estate in Moorabbin, on a five-year term for $328 per sqm gross, negotiated through Damien Adkins of Colliers

Industrial:

• Sabb Plumbing & Drainage will occupy a 183sqm facility at 3 Rocco Drive in Scoresby, on a two-year lease at $164 per sqm gross, negotiated by Mark Spigelman of Lawson Real Estate
• Echo Group Corporation will be moving into a 1,475sqm facility at 5 Arco Lane in Heatherton, on a five-year term, negotiated through Robert Colaneri of Cushman & Wakefield
• Capital S.M.A.R.T has renewed at its current premises, 30 Corporate Drive in Heatherton for a six-year term.

The strong demand for larger floorplates and better-equipped office and warehouses isn’t going to slow down any time soon, believes Pellicano managing director Renato Pellicano, as low industrial vacancy rates across both Victoria and Queensland – and a return of office workers – continue to fuel activity.

“Across most sectors we’re seeing ongoing demand for high-quality facilities – and it’s showing no sign of slowing down, particularly as the eastern seaboard recovers from its most recent wave of covid infections.

“Current uptick in activity across our commercial portfolio underpins the confidence we continue to have in the sector, particularly as companies across the state gradually start to bring their team back to on-site work after two years of work-from-home.

“South east Victoria is a market that has always performed really well for us, and it’s one that we’ll continue to have a strong focus on – the benefits of connectivity to major arterials, public transport connections for the workforce, and continued investment in local infrastructure make it a sought-after location for companies of all sizes.

“Last year our vacancy rate hit a record-low 0.07 percent – the lowest it has been since 2006 – which shows both the quality of our offering, and the current level of demand across the sector,” Pellicano said.

“Our new facility will allow us to continue to grow and serve humanity in new and innovative ways, as we bring together 5 separate facilities into 1 major hub,” St John Ambulance CEO Gordon Botwright said.

St John Ambulance’s new 15-year lease makes it one of Notting Hill's biggest commercial leasing deal in years, according to Mark Spigelman from Lawson Real Estate who negotiated the deal.