A prominent office building in the Canberra suburb of Phillip has been listed for sale, coming hot on the heels of a record-breaking $305 million transaction for the property next door.
Prime Asset in a Transforming Town Centre
Aviation House, located at 16 Furzer Street, has been brought to market by selling agents Colliers via an expressions of interest campaign. The campaign is scheduled to close on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The nine-level building, completed in 2007 by the Doma Group with architects May + Russell, is positioned in what agents describe as "the heart of Australia's health hub."
The listing highlights the site's location within a key Town Centre undergoing substantial gentrification. The property boasts a landholding of 4,463 square metres, a 4-star NABERS energy rating, a 4.5-star NABERS water rating, and natural light on all sides. Recent upgrades include new end-of-trip facilities, a refreshed facade, bike storage, and four new Schindler lifts.
Following a Landmark Neighbouring Sale
The sale campaign follows the monumental deal for the building directly opposite. In December 2025, the Yaradhang building (formerly known as Sirius) was reportedly sold for $305 million to billionaire Paul Lederer, the former chief executive of Primo Smallgoods.
That sale ranks among the highest in Canberra's history, approaching the record $363.5 million paid for the Geoscience Australia headquarters in Symonston in 2022. Matt Winter, Colliers' head of office capital markets and investment services, who is handling the sale of both Aviation House and Yaradhang, indicated in December that the major transaction significantly bolstered the ACT's overall commercial property market value for 2025.
Aviation House itself was last sold in 2016 for $68.07 million, according to CoreLogic records. It was previously the headquarters of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) until the agency vacated the premises at the end of its lease in January 2024, relocating to 18 Marcus Clarke Street in Civic.
New National Health Agency as Anchor Tenant
The building is currently 44.4% occupied, with its most significant and recent tenant being the newly established Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). The national health agency, created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, began operations on January 1, 2026.
The federal government confirmed in October 2024 that the CDC would be based in Canberra, announcing its specific tenancy at Aviation House in September 2025. Senator Katy Gallagher, chair of the COVID-19 committee that advocated for the CDC's establishment, welcomed the decision at the time.
"It means more jobs in the town centre, a boost to the local economy, and even more life and activity in an important part of our city," Senator Gallagher said.
Colliers' Matt Winter has forecast a stronger commercial property market for 2026, citing several properties already listed or undergoing due diligence processes. The sale of Aviation House will be a key test of investor confidence following the spectacular result achieved for its neighbour just weeks prior.
