New facility to be one of the largest private developments in Geelong

Geelong has been an investment hot spot over recent years seeing a great deal of investment in its waterfront and CBD precincts.

Several residential and mixed-use projects including Miramar, The Mercer, Ryrie Home and the Ritz are changing the face of Geelong and creating a more vibrant and user friendly city center, along with many jobs pre and post construction.

A new player is also set to enter this market with the Geelong waterfront soon be home to a new $250 million mixed-use facility by local developer, Amber Property Group, in partnership with ACTS Global Churches once planning approvals are ticked off.

Located at 35 Corio Street, the proposed ‘Cunningham Place’ development will boast a 5,000sqm conference facility with 650-seat auditorium, supermarket, stunning 168-room hotel, restaurants, co-working office space and residential apartments.

Amber Property Group directors Jevan Clay and Geoff and Rachael Brady said they want to create a place that fits seamlessly into the historical character of the area and Geelong’s iconic and much-loved waterfront precinct.

“Cunningham Place will be a meeting place for locals and visitors alike and will bring an inclusive and vibrant feel to the area,” they said.

“We have worked closely with DELWP and engaged a local Geelong-based design team to ensure the new facility that will add value to the community, meeting local demand for a vibrant event space, new retail, hospitality and community services.

Mr Clay said he grew up in the Geelong area and has watched the town rebuild from the years when the Ford factory closed its doors.
“Nothing has excited me more than seeing Geelong transform into the beautiful vibrant city it is today.”

If plans are approved, Geelong locals will also benefit from a new function/exhibition centre, supermarket and retail, a medical centre and a new childcare facility.

Set to be one of the largest private developments in Geelong, sprawling across four street frontages in the CBD, Cunningham Place will become a feature of the Geelong skyline, perfectly positioned to activate the precinct and improve connectivity.

The proposed development, designed by WMK Architecture, will also showcase innovative and considerate architectural design inspired by the historical heritage of the precinct.

Final plans are currently being reviewed by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

If plans are approved, the proposed development is said to provide:

• A $250 million investment in activating and improving connectivity through the precinct
• Over 1,500 full time equivalent (FTE) construction jobs per annum over two years
• An estimated 300-plus FTE jobs once operational
• Significant benefit to the Greater Geelong tourism industry by providing modern waterfront accommodation within walking distance of the
• Cunningham Pier
• New retail and office space, a hotel and residential apartments and new community facilities, and
• A world-class restaurant and cafe to complement the above.