Australia’s leading finance and business newspaper “Australian Financial Review” has published an interesting article about the Greek Centre and its tenants and the operation of the first shop of Greece's biggest burger chain, Goody's Burger House.

In the article the newspaper notes that the new building of the Greek Community is fully leased mainly to Greek owned business and emphasises the fact that the Greek Centre has played an important role in bringing Greek businesses back into the city, following an exodus to the south eastern suburb of Oakleigh.

“With the Goody's deal inked and two new office tenants also on board, the 4000 square metre tower is now fully leased ahead of the annual Lonsdale Street festival celebrating Greek culture and food, which takes place at the end of February,” says the newspaper.

"We've tried to engage as many Greek businesses as we can or at the very least, multicultural businesses, and we've been fairly successful at that," said Jorge Menidis, head of the Greek Cultural Centre, which occupies four floors in the building. "We leased up most of the building within six months and with CBRE's help have now leased up the remaining levels," he said.

The 15-storey office tower, in the heart of the city's Greek restaurant precinct and notable for its blue and white facade representing the colours of the Greek national flag, was completed in September 2014 at a cost of $15 million.

Mr Menidis said the Goody's restaurant would be the first of many in Australia. "It's a successful Greek business story and its good to see a Greek business expanding," he said.

In Australia, the franchise rights have been acquired by prominent Greek Australian businessman Kostas Tagalakis.

CBRE City Sales manager Paul Tzamalis said the new agreements highlighted the changing face of Melbourne's famous Greek precinct for both office and retail leasing opportunities.  
"168 Lonsdale Street has become a drawcard for office occupiers as leasing conditions continue to strengthen," he said. “Also coming soon to 168 Lonsdale Street will be a new rooftop bar called Melina, named after Greek actress and politician, Melina Mercouri.”

AFR article link: http://www.afr.com/real-estate/greek-community-fills-up-melbourne-tower-with-goodys-20160216-gmv6kg