The Honourable Julie Bishop, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Australia, officially opened PLACE Design Group’s new Chengdu office today in the landmark Raffles City.
At a VIP event the ribbon was cut, announcing the continued growth of the International firm which is now in its 14th year of operations. Hon Julie Bishop, together with Nancy Gordon, Australian Consul-General Chengdu, and distinguished guests were the first to view the new office and discuss the changing face of business in China.
The Hon Julie Bishop said, “It is exciting to see the growth of Place Design Group. More Australian organisations are coming to China to do business each year, and this is a testament to the strength of the Australia-China relationship. I am pleased to open the new Place Design Group office in Chengdu, and I look forward to seeing the ongoing success of the firm”.
Australian owned and led, PLACE Design Group has grown from strength to strength, both in the Australian and Asian Market. This year alone, PLACE Design Group have been proud recipients of the Australia China Business Awards, Lord Mayors Business Award for Doing Business in Asia, and Queensland Premier’s Export Award for the Creative Industries, showing that they are true leaders when it comes to planning and design.
Commencing operations in China in 2001 with an office in Shenzhen, Place Design Group steadily grew, opening further offices in Shanghai in 2004, Beijing in 2010 and finally Chengdu in 2011. Since that time the office has built a strong portfolio of projects including those such as Bund Brilliance, Central Island, Healthy Park Qingcheng Moutain, New World River Side, The U World Chongqing and Mixc Xian. Projects have not only been within Chengdu but have extending beyond into Nanchong, Yibin and other surrounding cities.
Office Principal and Director Clint Wood is excited about the evolution of Chengdu, “Chengdu is maturing as a modernized city and it is exciting to be a part of this. The relocation of the Chengdu office to new premises in Raffles City will allow more space to increase staff numbers, flexible spaces for a greater design orientated focus, and the ability to take on a more diverse range of projects with in-house staff with skills to match.
“PLACE Design Group have experienced positive growth in Chengdu over the last three years, and this new office location will support further endeavors for the group. There are exciting times ahead and with our new location I believe it shows how committed we are to providing a high level of service to clients within Chengdu and western China, servicing them from a local level with international expertise.”