10 May 2023
Victoria’s Planning Minister has signed off on a $250m, 17-storey mixed-use development in central Geelong, leaving a tight time frame to deliver the luxury hotel, conference centre, apartments and retail space before the
Commonwealth Games. Cunningham Place is the first foray into Geelong for Amber Property Group directors Geoff Brady and Jevan Clay and their largest project, in partnership with the owners of Grace Church.
The developers received a draft permit before the state election, but had to wait until after new Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the new Central Geelong Framework Plan in March before the minister ratified the design. It is the first major project approved since the framework became the CBD planning guidebook.
Ms Kilkenny chose to enforce the 60m preferred height limit set for the strategic site at 35 Corio St, meaning developers will have to shave 3m off the structure. The neighbouring WorkSafe building at 1 Malop St is 65m.
Mr Clay said construction was due to start in late 2023 with a target opening date of 2026. The Commonwealth Games, jointly hosted by Geelong and other regional centres, are due to open on March 17, 2026.
The next steps will be working with Geelong council to construct a new civil drainage system around the site, which fronts Corio, Clare and Gheringhap streets and Transit Place. Mr Clay said demolition of the original tenpin bowling lanes would occur this year as a tier one builder was appointed .
The project is expected to create more than 1500 fulltime-equivalent jobs a year over construction and more than 300 ongoing full-time and up to 300 part-time jobs once in operation.
McGrath Projects director Jim Cross has been appointed to lead sales and leasing for the apartments and commercial spaces, expected to start later this year. A display suite will be built on Eastern Beach Rd. Mr Clay said it would be Geelong’s biggest private mixed-use project.
Cunningham Place will hold a 5000sq m conference facility with a 650-seat auditorium, a 168-room luxury hotel and more than 60 residential apartments with views across Corio Bay.
The facility will also provide bars and restaurants, a supermarket, retail and co-working spaces, a medical centre and gymnasium.
Mr Brady will own the hotel, his third behind Sebel Ringwood and Peppers Richmond. “Amber is excited to deliver a project which provides much needed tourism support for services such as the Spirit of Tasmania, Commonwealth Games and the GMHBA Stadium upgrades,” he said.
Mr Clay said developers wanted to work with Geelong businesses to occupy spaces in the new complex. “We envisage a world-class business hub by day, transforming to a world-class leisure destination in the evening,” he said.
“Cunningham Place is perfectly positioned to host footy supporters from all over the country when the Cats take those big AFL games at GMHBA Stadium.
Mark Nicholas, from Anchor Private Financial Services, has arranged stage 1 finance with interest from several large banks and private funding organisations. Architect Steve Tillinger from WMK Architecture and town planner Simon Loader from Tract Consulting were key Geelong consultants working on the planning stage.