50 Ann Street Building Upgrade

Buildcorp is delivering a major transformation of 50 Ann Street in Brisbane’s CBD, centred on extensive base‑building services upgrades across the tower.

Key works include the full replacement of the building’s primary electrical and mechanical infrastructure, major fire system upgrades, and the creation of a new multi‑services riser to support long-term performance.

A highly controlled electrical upgrade strategy was engineered to keep the building operational at all times. This included constructing two new custom Main Switchboards adjacent to the existing board, installing new submains and busduct systems from Level 29 to the Mezzanine, and executing a coordinated shutdown with Energex to transition safely to the new MSBs. Mechanical upgrades involved the staged replacement of the chillers with three 1,100 kWr water‑cooled units. Equipment was broken into cranage‑friendly sections, lifted via a 350T mobile crane, and transferred into the Level 28 plant room using a cantilevered lifting beam system.

Further enhancements include NCC‑compliant upgrades to wet and dry fire systems, new hydraulic stackwork, plant refurbishments, and replacement of emergency and exit lighting. A former breakout area has been converted into a new multi‑discipline riser, accommodating electrical submains, BMS, data, dry fire systems, hydraulic services and mechanical control boards, requiring significant structural modification and fireproofing.

With the building fully occupied throughout, Buildcorp is delivering the upgrades via a staged, rolling handover methodology in blocks of five floors. This ensures careful management of tenancy interfaces, advanced shutdown planning and minimal disruption to daily operations. Noisy works, cranage movements, deliveries and removals are scheduled outside business hours to maintain continuity for occupants.

These modernised systems and infrastructure enhancements will significantly improve the building’s performance, resilience and long‑term operational efficiency. The building upgrades are being delivered alongside an integrated fitout progressing under the same coordinated program.