New coop in Brisbane for Fruit Ninja video-game creator

Indie game developer Halfbrick Studios will open its doors at the former Sunny Queen Eggs home in Brisbane's Red Hill.

Halfbrick Studios – creator of the best-selling Fruit Ninja video game – has signed a five-year lease for an annual rental of $450,000 gross per annum.

Previously occupied by Sunny Queen Eggs, the 2,200 square metre building at 25 Musgrave Road has been completely retrofit, with a $5.5 million fitout and refurbishment undertaken by engineering contractor John Holland.

The deal was brokered by CBRE’s Mel Pikos and Michael Skarparis.

“Following the immense success of Fruit Ninja, which has been downloaded more than one billion times, Halfbrick Studios has experienced exponential growth, and, as a result, required additional facilities that would enable further expansion,” Pikos said.

Fruit Ninja is the second highest-selling game of all time on the iOS platform, says the gaming company's website.

“Some of the key building features that appealed to Halfbrick include the exposed ceiling grid spray painted black, large internal stair with void, multiple break-out and chill-out zones, large rooftop area overlooking the Brisbane CBD, and even an original chick-hatchery room that has been converted to a meeting room,” he said.

Skarparis said the deal was evidence of Brisbane’s increasing appeal as an IT and gaming destination.

“In 2015, Brisbane has emerged a hub for computer game and app developers, with deals negotiated to Halfbrick Studios for 2,200 square metres, Gameloft for 650 square metres, and Red Eye Apps for 355 square metres,” he said.