Global experts in the built environment Mace Group have redefined their Sydney footprint

About Mace Group

Global consultancy and construction company Mace Group oversee work for leasing organisations across the private and public sectors. Their core services are project and programme management, advisory services, and facilities management consultancy.

On a regional level, Mace Group deliver a wide variety of projects - from landmark skyscrapers and luxury resorts in Southeast Asia, to vital infrastructure in education, healthcare and transportation, down under.

In Australia, they have project managed billions of social and linear infrastructure projects across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The firm has delivered some of the most iconic and complex projects in the region, including the Sydney Opera House.

The Challenge

Collaboration, engagement and convenience were key fundamentals for Mace Group in looking for their new Sydney CBD office space. Previously located at 44 Market Street, the firm were looking to secure a premises that provided more amenity and comfortability for their staff, with a rapidly approaching lease expiry date. Having recently experienced a period of rapid business growth, they sought space that paralleled their offices in other global cities.

Sydney’s office market was experiencing good levels of demand, which saw the headline vacancy rate for Sydney CBD decrease from 13.0% (Q3-21) to 12.5% (Q4-21) according to data from JLL Research. This resulted in many of the options presented by JLL in the first round of inspections being leased quickly by other businesses.

In addition, the pandemic was not shy in presenting challenges to the process by bringing the second round of inspections and negotiations to a halt as Greater Sydney was plunged into its three-month COVID-19 lockdown.

As lockdowns lifted and restrictions eased in late 2021, JLL’s Sydney CBD Office Leasing Executive, William Conry renewed the search for Mace Group’s new space with a fresh list of several options that suited their needs. Following a round of inspections, Mace Group’s leadership team were presented with multiple outstanding options located in the heart of Sydney CBD.

After open negotiations it was a great outcome for Charter Hall as well as Mace Group on getting their preferred option at 68 Pitt Street, Sydney.

“While the process was protracted due to both Covid and delays in obtaining approvals from our head office in London. William maintained a high level of professionalism and patience with the right amount of communication achieving a great outcome for Mace,” - Noel O’Keeffe, Mace Group

Approach

JLL understands that office environments are critical to engaging and retaining employees.

William recognised Mace Group’s impending lease expiration and proactively reached out to their CEO, based in London, to advise their future workplace strategy and assist them to take advantage of favourable market conditions for tenants. Locally, he initiated a meeting with Mace Group’s Noel O’Keeffe to get deeper insights into their requirements to ensure a seamless transition for the firm.

Result

William successfully negotiated a great result for all parties. Mace Group’s 303sqm office on Level 14 is a more efficient office space in a layout more functional for their business, in the heart of Sydney CBD’s Core precinct.

“William was at all times informed as to the market and what options were available and acted timely on directions to ensure Mace were put in a position to secure a new office location.

“I am grateful to William for his time and dedication to the task and if the need arises would be more than happy to engage his services in the future.” - Noel O’Keeffe, Mace Group