FRANZÉ DEVELOPMENTS LAUNCHES GEELONG QUARTER, A NEW LIFESTYLE PRECINCT FOR GEELONG

Last Thursday saw the launch of Franzé Developments’ $150 million Geelong Quarter precinct, which includes the largest new hotel in the region in almost 20 years.

Located at 44 Ryrie Street at the intersection of Fenwick Street, the 2,700-square-metre gateway site will comprise Holiday Inn® & Suites Geelong, the Ryrie Residences consisting of 14 luxury apartments, a 1,000-square-metre retail plaza and 7,400 square metres of state-of-the-art commercial office space, all connected by a vibrant and highly activated street level plane.

The Geelong Quarter launch was held at their display suite at 78 Little Malop Street where a packed house heard from the project architect and developer around the finer details of the innovative development that is set to create a new destination for the city centre.

Even before the official proceeding’s started, two of the 14 luxury Ryrie residences were sold with many more people expressing interest in the unique opportunity.

Designed by Architectus, Geelong Quarter will form a visual gateway to the city centre and will be an active hub for 1,500 residents, workers and visitors each day.

Paul Franzé, founder and managing director of Franzé Developments, says that Geelong Quarter will provide a level of culture and connection unmatched anywhere else in the fast-growing regional city.

“As Geelong continues to experience rapid growth in population and visitation, it is increasingly important to create a new link between the CBD, the arts precinct and the bay to ensure Geelong remains a highly desirable international waterfront city, with world-class facilities,” Mr Franzé said.

“There’s nothing like this in Geelong – it is our vision that this project will help to drive the city forward.

Matthew Smith, managing principal at Architectus, said Geelong Quarter embraces the future direction of Geelong while drawing inspiration from its history, with a modern take on industrialinfluenced design.

“The gateway corner location has been stitched into the fabric of the city, linking pedestrian connections through the site to the adjacent cultural precinct, and activating the surrounding neighbourhood,” Mr Smith said.

The offices at 44 Ryrie will be home to around 600 office workers when fully occupied, the 7,400-square-metre office space over 10 levels will be accessed via an impressive double-height lobby fronting Ryrie Street.

The Geelong Quarter retail component will feature a number of retail tenancies located on the ground level, facing both Ryrie Street and Fenwick Street.

Tenants will comprise a diverse mix  of quality operators such as cafes, a wine bar and services for the wider CBD community.

The Geelong Quarter display suite is at 78 Little Malop Street Geelong and will be open on Thursday from 4.30pm – 6pm and on Saturday between 1pm and 3pm.

For more information go to geelongquarter.com.au or franzedevelopments.com.au.