Geelong's emergence bolstered by Revitalising Central Geelong
The Revitalising Central Geelong Partnership Team is shining a spotlight upon the increasing number of high density projects within Geelong's core.
City of Greater Geelong has teamed with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to create the Revitalising Central Geelong Partnership Team which in turn has freshly released a new document designed to push Geelong's development credentials.
Dubbed 'Central Geelong: Invest in the Future' the brochure is a physical manifestation of all things that Geelong is and intends to be, particularly from a development perspective. Diversified housing projects are at the core of the document, underlining the targeted population of 10,000 people within central Geelong by 2026.
Hand in hand with luring a greater population is the move to rejuvenate central Geelong's street-level appearance. "The Action Plan will generate a vibrant central hub to stimulate diverse job and development opportunities, boost demand for retail and services, encourage investment confidence and foster the potential for greater recreational and cultural use."
It is through the mid and high-rise development push that is currently redefining Geelong. The swag of projects now at construction is dominated by apartments and includes the likes of G1 Apartments, The Mercer and Miramar.
Miramar is being developed by Whitford and Morris Property Group, and stands to be Geelong's tallest building. Whitford is also due to see construction commence on its latest project dubbed The Ritz, which consists of 110 dwellings.
Apartments aside, contractor Built has seen construction complete at Quintessential Equity's 1 Malop Street office tower for tenant Worksafe Victoria, whilst Kane Constructions is seeing construction through on developer Techne's national headquarters for the National Disability Insurance Agency plus the Geelong Performing Arts Centre Redevelopment.
Underlining Revitalising Central Geelong Partnership Team's want for a diversified city core, pending major Geelong developments are both commercial and hotel in nature.
Hassell has designed a new commercial building for Techne dubbed Dennys Lascelles Tower; it includes 13,450 square metres of lettable area, 150 car parks and a rooftop terrace for staff. Also on the agenda is Franzé Developments' 44 Ryrie Street which includes separate Holiday Inn and commercial wings.
Potentially another addition to Geelong's rising skyline is Gheringhap Tower, a new commercial building designed by Chandler Architecture which the design practice believes "forms part of the transformation of Geelong from an industrial based regional town to a serviced based economy.
Located in Geelong’s business precinct close to the train station, it is well connected to Melbourne and offers premium office facilities with outstanding north facing views over Corio Bay."
Whether Gheringhap Tower translates to reality remains to be seen, but it is very much symptomatic of Geelong's current transformation.
