This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct, featuring a Crowne Plaza hotel and the city’s largest office tower, is a step closer after the Victorian government selected the Plenary Group consortium – including Quintessential Equity, Built, Woods Bagot and BGIS – as the preferred bidder for the $294 million project.
It will see a 1.6-hectare waterfront car parking site on Western Beach Road transformed into a new 1,000-seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces, as well as a 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel and a 14-storey, 18,000 sqm office tower.
More than 600 jobs will be created during construction, with an extra 270 ongoing jobs created once the precinct is complete.
The federal government is investing $30 million in the project as part of the half-a-billion-dollar Geelong City Deal, with the Victorian government contributing more than $260 million, with $3 million tipped in from the City of Greater Geelong.
“The City of Geelong has undergone significant growth in recent years. This development will build on its reputation as a business and sporting powerhouse in regional Victoria,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Corio, Richard Marles.
The Victorian government is assisting local organisation gforce recruit almost 30 new local apprentices and trainees who are experiencing disadvantage in entering the workforce. These apprentices will be employed full-time for the duration of their apprenticeship and until they secure full-time employment with private contractors.
“This project is a game-changer for a rapidly growing region, generating hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars into the local economy – once complete it will be yet another drawcard for this vibrant, prosperous and beautiful part of the state,” said Victorian Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing.
The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is being consulted on the precinct’s design, identity and recognition of local cultural heritage.
The Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Trust, which operates Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, will manage and operate the Geelong Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Preliminary site works are underway and construction is set to begin shortly, with the convention centre and hotel expected to be complete in 2026.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Trent Sullivan said this “centrepiece project will take our business and short-stay offering to a new level, deliver a wide range of opportunities for existing local businesses and expand our labour market”.
Quintessential will develop the office component in a joint venture with Plenary Group. Designed by Woods Bagot, the commercial office building will
“The building will provide exemplary environmental and workplace attributes that will encourage higher frequency of attendance, supported by retail and hotel amenity,” said Quintessential head of development, Matt O’Halloran.
“With a strong track record of delivery and a focus on occupier relationships, Quintessential is excited by the strength of occupier the office tower will attract given the successful recruitment of WorkSafe, GMHBA, KPMG and others across the business’ existing portfolio of commercial office sites in Geelong.”
Quintessential has $500 million of existing office projects in Geelong and a further $200 million in future developments planned. It recently completed of the cross-laminated timber Wurriki Nyal Precinct for the City of Greater Geelong.
