Private Melbourne landlord Juilliard Group has signed Energy Australia as a tenant at its 440 Collins Street office tower on a one-year deal worth around $1 million in net rent. 
Energy Australia will take 2500 square metres in the 17-storey office building over levels three and four of fitted office space vacated by Wesfarmers Insurance. The deal, which works out at about $400 per square metres, includes options to renew beyond the initial 12-month term.
The electricity provider, owned by Hong Kong-listed energy giant CLP, will keep its Melbourne head office at 385 Bourke Street. The Collins Street premises will be occupied by IT and project management staff.
The lease was negotiated by Edward Knowles of Colliers International, who declined to comment.
Juilliard Group is the property investment and management arm of BRW Rich Listers the Werdiger family, whose patriarch Nathan Werdiger passed away aged 93 in   December. Juilliard Group is one of the largest private landlords in Melbourne, owning a number of prominent central business district office towers, including 459 Collins Street and 555 Bourke Street, known as the St James precinct.
The family acquired 440 Collins Street in 2000 for $40 million from Melbourne lawyer and property investor Jason Yeap. It offers total lettable area of 19,505 square metres with typical floor plates of 1178 square metres and has a 2.5 star NABERS energy rating.
Office tenants include accounting firm PKF, KHQ Lawyers and economic think tank CEDA, while Australia Post leases a retail shop on the ground floor.