Amalgamated Property Group has started construction on Griffin development in Parkes

Amalgamated Property Group started works on the Constitution Avenue site, in the Parliamentary Triangle, earlier this month.

The development, called the Griffin, will have 260 units across three buildings. The buildings will share a basement.

It was designed by Brisbane-based architecture firm DBI Design. Amalgamated Property Group development manager Michael D'Elboux said there had been a design competition for the site.

"It was a very extensive design process, we actually ran a design competition to inform our masterplan," he said.

"The building here has to pay homage to the other landmarks around it so that's why it is designed to be such a striking building."

DBI Design and Amalgamated Property Group said it's focused on designing units that responded to aspect and climate. The building will have 1000-square-metre podium gardens.

"The podium gardens are so large we could have had another building in the space," DBI Design project director Ewald de Weerd said.

"The Griffin is not your usual high-rise development. We could have increased the number of homes but that was never our intention. We deliberately have maximised space, inside and out so that these homes will give residents a lifestyle balance that is unique."

Part of the site includes the heritage Anzac Park West Cafeteria, which will be retained and converted into commercial office space, Amalgamated Property Group general manager Phil O'Brien said.

Mr O'Brien said the company had engaged heritage architect Eric Martin in the process.

"We engaged very extensively with Eric Martin and our heritage consultants in terms of ensuring our design was very sympathetic to its surrounds and a reflection of where we are located, right on the doorstep to the lake and to the city," he said.

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A works approval application was submitted by the developer in November last year.

Mr D'Elboux said the company had worked extensively with the community in the planning stage and that it had first met with community members in April 2019.

Community members were invited to a ceremony on Monday to mark the commencement of construction. One of those was Campbell resident Julie Doyle, who said the consultation process had been constructive.

"They were very proactive about consulting and a lot of developers aren't," she said.

An underpass on Parkes Way between the development and Lake Burley Griffin will be retained for public use.

Amalgamated Property Group purchased the site from the federal government for $21.7 million in 2017, at the same time it acquired former government building, Anzac Park East for $34.3 million.

The Anzac Park East building was demolished last year, and Mr O'Brien said the development was still at the planning stage.

Construction on the Griffin is expected to be completed in July 2022.