A new plan for an 18-storey office and apartment tower has been lodged for the site at 16 Gheringhap St, Geelong. The site is presently a gravel car park.
A developer has returned to the drawing board seeking to reimagine a proposed Geelong office tower into an 18-storey mixed use project featuring 107 apartments.
Urbis has lodged an application to the Department of Transport and Planning to amend the permit to provide for the 18-storey building on behalf of architects SMFA and developer Rezolve.
The gravel car park at 16 Gheringhap St, Geelong is one of 18 locations across the CBD where the planning minister has approved developments that have yet to move to construction.
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Urbis planners have detailed in a planning report how adverse economic conditions impacting the development industry, coupled with low demand for substantial office space, had forced the developer to pivot the project.
The existing permit, which was granted in 2023 for the office tower marketed as Yale Place, and was extended in 2024, would expire if work wasn’t started by March 2027.
The report outlines how “significant unforeseen and demonstrable impacts to the construction industry that has limited the ability for the development to commence”.
Renders for a proposed permit amendment to create an 18-storey mixed use building at 16 Gheringhap St and 12-18 Bayley St, Geelong. Image: SMFA.
A render of the development approved for the site, called Yale Place has 13 storeys and included a rooftop bar and restaurant.
Furthermore, engagement with agents has confirmed that a 17-storey office building in this location “would not have the appropriate demand to justify commencement of the works”.
The property neighbours a site where developer Quintessential Equity scrapped plans for its second CBD office tower – an approved 11-storey development – after it couldn’t entice an anchor tenant to the project.
The decision to downsize commercial space in favour of residential apartments follows with Franze Developments’ decision to repositioning an entire building at its Geelong Quarter project on Ryrie St.
A substantial red podium will include three levels for carparking. Image: SMFA.
The introduction of a swallow tail pleating to the eastern facade maximises views for occupants and provides a sculpted tower form. Image: SMFA.
The proposal seeks to reimagine the Gheringhap St corner site, introducing new architecture, dwellings and carparking.
Non-residential features include food and beverage premises at the ground floor, coworking space and restricted recreation at mezzanine level, offices at upper levels and a rooftop bar.
The 107 apartments from levels 7 to 16 would be a mix of 34 one-bedroom, 57 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom residences.
The tower would include three levels of car parking, three levels of office space and 107 one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Image: SMFA.
Communal space for residents would be provided on level 7.
The project includes an upsized podium, including three levels of carparking, providing 110 resident car park spaces within the podium.
There would be separate lobbies for offices and apartments.
Secure bicycle parking is also included, with 30 double-height spaces for residents.
A facade of red metal covers the carparking levels, with a glass exterior surrounding the office floors.
Apartments would each offer a mix of glass and balconies at the facade.