"Reminiscent of Chelsea Market in New York." Gurner's Geelong mixed-use precinct plans
The multi-billion dollar property developer GURNERTM has picked up a site in Geelong for its next mixed-use residential project.
Tim Gurner, founder of GURNERTM, has teamed up with the local property identity Dean Montgomery to transform a historic former wool store at 20-28 Brougham Street, creating a sustainable mixed-use precinct with an activated ground plane, a hotel and urban gardens, and residential apartments above the hotel.
“We will be bringing an incredible 5-star hotel to this location, that will feature a retail and hospitality offering at the ground floor that will be reminiscent of Chelsea Market in New York," Gurner says.
“Sitting on top of the hotel will be a collection of large luxury owner-occupier residences for locals and downsizers."
The vision by Gurner and Montgomery will see the restoration of the heritage façade of the historic four-storey, red brick building. There will be a new ground-floor food and beverage precinct created, linking the new council offices to the nearby university by foot, as well as a 5-star hotel component and luxury residences in the upper levels, along with a carbon neutral target as part of GURNERTM’s ambitious Greener by Gurner initiative.
GURNERTM engaged Fender Katsalidis to realise the design vision for the site and will lodge an amendment to that permit in late 2022.
Gurner believes there is considerable future growth in the Geelong area.
“Geelong has always been Victoria’s quiet achiever, but now with the renewed regional push as many families consider regional locations, I believe Geelong’s market run hasn’t really even begun yet.
"Buyers are reassessing their lifestyle choices and are looking for affordable locations close to beaches with easy accessibility into the CBD, and Geelong ticks all those boxes and more.
“Regional tourism is set to flourish in the next few years, as holiday preferences change and regional destination such as Geelong continue to grow in popularity – the opening of new attractions, like the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong, will further drive this activity."
Gurner says the building will be fully carbon neutral, and will offer an environmental point of difference not seen in Australia to-date.
“This is one of the last remaining prime waterfront sites with north-facing water views so we are excited by the possibilities and what we can deliver to truly maximise this incredible location.
“We acquired the site with Dean with the intention to create a residential, commercial and hotel precinct and it is our intention to bring that to life, however if the planning changes make that difficult we will proceed with the existing office scheme."