Podcast: Drinks giant Asahi puts culture first in Melbourne office

For one of the most prolific drinks brands in Australia, continued growth is predicated on its employees coming together under the same roof.

That’s what spurred Asahi Beverages, the name behind Cool Ridge, Peroni, Hard Rated Solo, Allpress, Cottee’s and Carlton just to name a few, to break its existing office lease and move into a new regional headquarters in March 2026. Asahi’s search for a new premises, led by JLL tenant representation, directed the business to a five-storey 4,500 sqm office space at 2 Southbank Boulevard, within the Freshwater Place complex, in Melbourne.

“Collaboration just wasn’t there in the current office,” says John Tortora, chief procurement and sustainability officer at Asahi Beverages, speaking on JLL’s Perspectives podcast. “Space was tight, lighting was poor and we are trying to get people to come into the office together and work face-to-face.”

As well as giving staff a healthier, more sustainable and inspiring workplace, Asahi’s new office showcases its mixed heritage - an amalgamation of its Japanese origins, Australian operations and the combined histories of its extensive list of brands.

A centrepiece of the new office is an entry level that showcases Asahi’s expanding beverage portfolio, as well as a bar and café, all of which invite employees and guests to meet and enjoy a drink.

“We’re about bringing people together, creating connections and moments and so we now have a facility that can do that,” Tortora adds.

As consumers show increasing demand for social spaces with personality, pub owners and operators are also pouring money into renovations that hark back to their core purpose of being a community gathering point, according to Will Connolly, senior vice president in JLL’s hotels and hospitality group, pubs and motels.

“Where a pub might have had 30 years of family history behind it, only to be rebranded, that’s not happening anymore. Operators are now embracing the history and culture of a premises. They see value in making that connection,” Connolly says.

“Operators are realising they can’t just open the double doors, turn on the taps and expect people to stay. They’re introducing things such as electronic darts so patrons are compelled to stick around beyond their pot and parmigiana.”

Watch the full episode on video featuring Tortora, Connolly and Kate Pilgrim, co-head of tenant representation at JLL.