East Point is complete at the gateway to the Ipswich CBD, delivered nine weeks ahead of programme with a fully fitted Bluebird early education centre and two commercial tenancies.
The project also closed out with a clean safety record, with zero lost-time injuries recorded across the build at 2 Brisbane Street.
The result caps a strong delivery performance. Base building practical completion was achieved in December 2024, just 43 weeks after commencement and nine weeks ahead of the 52-week contracted programme. The team then turned to the fitout of the ground-floor early education centre, which is now complete and ready to welcome families.
Constructed under a Construct Only lump sum contract for Benstead Holdaway and designed by Solution Positive Architecture, East Point combines undercroft parking, a purpose-built centre for Bluebird Early Education Centres and two cold-shell commercial tenancies across approximately 4,800m2 of floor space.
The childcare centre accommodates up to 100 enrolled children and includes purpose-designed learning rooms with large-format illustrated murals, a bespoke timber playground with water play, sand pit and artificial turf and a covered verandah with ceiling fans. A green wall carrying the Bluebird branding anchors the centre’s entry.
The site presented its own challenges. With three street frontages to Brisbane, Limestone and Milford Streets, deliveries via the Limestone Street entry were limited to body trucks under Council-enforced constraints, and concrete pours were scheduled in early morning windows to minimise traffic impact. Overhead high-voltage powerlines required fibreglass scaffolding panels and dedicated spotters throughout the structural works.
Nicholas Stevens, Director of Benstead Holdaway, reflected on the outcome: “Their dedication to maintaining high-quality standards while staying within budget and ahead of programme was remarkable. What sets Tomkins apart is the genuine relationship we’ve built over the years — it feels like a partnership.”
As the first building encountered entering the Ipswich CBD, East Point now sets the tone for the city centre, bringing early education, commercial space and undercroft parking to a key gateway site.
