Virgin Australia to exit Bowen Hills for Flight Centre's Southbank HQ
Virgin Australia will move into Flight Centre's chic Brisbane HQ in September.
By David Flynn, July 28 2020
Virgin Australia is departing its long-standing Bowen Hills offices in favour of the more modern and more centrally-located Southpoint building at Southbank which also serves as Flight Centre HQ.
The airline will occupy five floors of the 21-story office tower on Grey Street, reportedly sub-let from Flight Centre, with the move slated for the middle of September.
A Virgin Australia spokesman confirmed the move to Executive Traveller, saying that "the Virgin Australia Group has been looking to relocate its Queensland-based headquarters to a more fit-for-purpose facility for some time."
"We will end our Bowen Hills lease in September and relocate all Brisbane-based team members to the Southpoint building at Southbank where the Group will occupy five floors of the building."
Comprising three separate buildings with over 12,000sqm and 149 car spaces, the Edmondstone Road complex has served as 'Virgin Village' for over a decade, and property manager Charter Hall lists it as "fully leased to Virgin Australia Holdings."
However, the airline's inevitable downsizing – spurred by both the impact of Covid-19 and the new ownership of Bain Capital – has seen it make an early exit on the lease, previously due to expire in May 2026.
The five floors at Southpoint are said to total around 9,000 sqm, or three-quarters of the currently held space at Virgin Village.
Bain is expected to slash Virgin's workforce, removing several thousand jobs in an airline which will fly fewer routes, operate a smaller streamlined fleet, and focus on domestic travel for the short term.
As reported earlier this week, there's speculation that Virgin Australia could also shutter its Sydney offices to become an entirely Brisbane-based airline.
Also read: Here is what Bain Capital's Virgin Australia 2.0 will look like
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
31 May 2018
Total posts 15
This website has made a point about what it isn't (an aviation website for example), but I didn't realise it was a commercial property news website?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
We chose to report on this as an adjunct to the previous story on the possibility of Virgin Australia relocating its Sydney offices to Brisbane, as well as because there's high interest among readers (and Virgin Australia travellers) on how VA2 is taking shape, and this is part of that.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Well put David, I found your article totally relevant and I'd have been surprised and a little disappointed if you hadn't covered it. If anything, it proves just how extensive, and extremely valuable, our aviation industry is to the rest of Australia, at both a commercial and personal level.
Given that a change in Qantas cabin staff uniform has rightly made news here and elsewhere in recent years, I've not heard anyone complain from a fashion or manufacturing industry perspective. I will admit having often thought of complaining from a fashion/aesthetic perspective (I'd hardly have been alone), but that missive would have been directly to Captain AJ's office, not at this web site.) I'm left with no choice (NO CHOICE I say) but to suspect, perhaps incorrectly, that the true motive behind for s4077786 comments was a protestation for the implicitly encouraging news given to Virgin 2.0.
31 May 2018
Total posts 15
You've hit the nail on the head. Upon being informed that Virgin's new office has 149 car spaces (and the obvious success this Implies) I've clearly let my emotions get the better of me. Apologies.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 349
The new VA office/existing Flight Centre office tower is also located directly next to the South Bank Train & Busway stations, so I would guess that VAH would encourage their office employees to catch the Train or Bus to the office.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
06 Apr 2012
Total posts 125
Great building with great exposure. I wonder if this move signals a greater collaboration between the two companies as they seek to rebuild their businesses ?
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