BESIX WATPAC

1988

Enduring Partnerships

Hospitality, Tourism and Expansion

Construction work carried out during the year 1988 totalled $175m – double the previous year. Major projects completed during the 87/88 financial year included:

• Sheraton Marina Mirage Retail Centre and Sports Complex on the Gold Coast
• Sea World Nara Resort on Queensland’s Gold Coast
• Two prominent office complexes in Astor Terrace, Brisbane.

The Sheraton Marina Mirage

#​Watpac had a substantial workload going into 1988/89 with an emphasis on tourism.

The property division successfully developed and sold:

• Offices and a retail complex in Chermside
• Two-level office development at Indooroopilly
• A four-level office complex on Brisbane's CBD outskirts

This tourism trend encouraged the Watpac Construction Division to establish offices on the Gold Coast and in Cairns in 1988.

Our presence in North Queensland remains today, with a focus on health, education and defence. BESIX Watpac delivered the James Cook University Ideas Lab in Cairns in 2020, and is currently delivering three projects at the Cairns University Hospital including a redevelopment of the Emergency Department, a High Voltage Upgrade to the power infrastructure and replacement of the chillers in Block B. 

#Expanding North & South

Sea World Resort, Gold Coast

After listing in 1985, the company quickly established a presence in Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Noosa as well as Cairns.

"Our current property interests are part of a strategic move to increase activity in the property field and to provide a spread of geographic investment locations," said Watkins Pacific General Manager Developments at the time, Mr Rick Graf.

"Watkins Pacific Ltd has established a presence in Cairns' rapidly growing market with the acquisition of local development company KEL Developments Pty Ltd in a deal valued at $7 million."

Tori Condon, Australian Financial Review, Oct 6, 1988

#Milestones

swipe

1909

Strong Foundations

BESIX Founded
SBB Group forms Six Construct

1966

Delivering Excellence

SBB Group forms Six Construct
Watkins Pacific registered with the Builders Board of Queensland

1985

Redefining What’s Possible

Watpac lists on the Australian Stock Exchange

1986

Redefining What’s Possible

Queensland prepares for Expo 88
David Little sets business up for growth

1987

Redefining what's possible

David Little sets business up for growth

1988

Enduring Partnerships

Hospitality, Tourism and Expansion

1992

Enduring Partnerships

Our stadia expertise kick-off

1994

Enduring Partnerships

Team work makes the dream work
Changing the landscape of Brisbane CBD

1998

Delivering Excellence

Establishing a North Queensland presence

2000

Delivering Excellence

Welcoming the new millenium

2004

Redefining What’s Possible

SBB rebrands as the BESIX Group

2006

sustainable solutions

Upskilling with stadiums

2010

Enduring Partnerships

Celebrating a quarter of a century

2012

Enduring Partnerships

Business is flying in South Australia

2013

Redefining What’s Possible

BESIX Group buys shares in Watpac

2018

Enduring Partnerships

BESIX and Watpac join forces

2022

Redefining What’s Possible

Building our legacy