In Adelaide in 1997, Hansen Yuncken was a member of a winning consortium for the development of the EDS building in which it was responsible for the design-and-construct contract. Hansen Yuncken had purchased the site on North Terrace prior to a government tender, taking a risk that paid off. This project helped advance the company’s image and significantly assisted in growing the company’s balance sheet. The company later built the Radisson Hotel on an adjoining portion of the land.
The EDS project was important in the resurgence of Hansen Yuncken, as well as the revival of the western end of the city of Adelaide. It was the first office building constructed in Adelaide for many years and provided a major catalyst for development after the recession of the 1990s and the South Australian Sate Bank disaster. Peter Kennedy said “The project may not have happened as the EDS lease with the South Australian government was signed by the then premier, Dean Brown, the day before he was deposed as leader”.
The state-of-the-art building comprised 11 storeys with efficient and flexible floor layouts, operations and building systems. It also provided a 95-space car park for tenants and public parking for the Radisson Hotel. Hansen Yuncken undertook a 15-year maintenance commitment which ensured careful consideration when selecting building materials, plant and equipment. The project was completed three months ahead of schedule in December 1998.