$5m rooftop bar plan for CBD
A ROOFTOP bar and three-level extension will be built on top of a historic
CBD building, under a major $5 million development tipped to “take the heart of Geelong into the future”.
City Hall has granted a planning permit to developers to build on top of the 1929 National Mutual Building, formerly the home of Thomas Jewellers for 40 years.
The new three-level hospitality venue will have space for about 850 patrons, with an outdoor terrace wrapping around the fifth storey and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city and waterfront.
Project developers
Bill Votsaris and the Hamilton Group hope to have construction completed in 12 months.
A ROOFTOP bar and threelevel extension will be built on a historic CBD building, under a major $5 million development tipped to “take the heart of Geelong into the future”.
Geelong Council has granted a planning permit to developers to build on the top of the 1929 National Mutual Building on the corner of Malop and Moorabool streets, formerly the home of Thomas Jewellers for 40 years.
The new three-level hospitality venue will have space for about 850 patrons, with a terrace wrapping around the fifth storey and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city and waterfront.
The plans were revealed to the Geelong Advertiser yesterday by project developers Bill Votsaris and the Hamilton Group, which hope to have the $5 million construction completed in 12 months.
Mr Votsaris said the skyhigh venue would give Geelong its version of the popular rooftop drinking and dining venues “enjoyed in Melbourne for many years”.
“It’s going to be very unique, because it’s in the very centre of town,” he said.
“It’s not only about being able to see the water, it’s about being able to see the incredible character of central Geelong as you look 360 degrees around — whether you’re looking towards St Mary’s Cathedral, or towards the library. No matter which way you turn there’s a lot of character in central Geelong, and you’re close enough to touch it.”
The development will be accessed through Shorts Place, linking the new venue to Geelong’s popular west end of Little Malop St.
Hamilton Group director Cameron Hamilton said his group and Mr Votsaris took pride in making Geelong’s key under-used buildings useful once more.
“For the past 50 years, 80 per cent of this building hasn’t been occupied, so no one’s really got to enjoy it,” Mr Hamilton said.
“The view from up the top there is magnificent, and it’s just about getting people in there again and getting everyone to enjoy it.”
Cr Eddy Kontelj welcomed the latest investment into the city by Mr Votsaris and the Hamilton Group, praising their willingness to invest into the city’s future.
“This building and development sits on one of Geelong’s most prominent street corners, being Moorabool and Malop streets, and has the potential to activate the Geelong CBD like nothing we have seen for many decades,” Cr Kontelj said.
“This innovative development will take the heart of Geelong into the future.”
Joyce Architects director Tarryn Joyce said the stylish designs for the extension had been created to respect the original building and avoid overpowering it.
THE VIEW FROM UP THE TOP THERE IS MAGNIFICENT, AND IT’S JUST ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE IN THERE AGAIN AND GETTING EVERYONE TO ENJOY IT.”
HAMILTON GROUP DIRECTOR CAMERON HAMILTON