Fifteen-storey tower plan for waterfront gateway:
Tower block proposed
A LONG-HELD vision of high-rise living on Geelong’s Mercer St is moving closer to reality.
Developers have begun quietly promoting a new 15storey residential complex at 53 Mercer St, which is permitted to host 121 apartments and four ground floor retail businesses.
The site, which previously hosted Geelong Chrysler Jeep, has signage adorning the development and work has begun on fitting out a sales office.
The street, which is a key entry point to the city and part of a precinct known as the Western Wedge, has long been recognised by the council as having huge potential.
While the City of Greater Geelong has worked with authorities and landowners to develop the Western Wedge over the past 15 years, Mercer St has been largely unchanged.
The latest development, known as ‘The Mercer”, looms as a game-changing addition to the inner western skyline.
According to advertising that pitches the complex as delivering a “new point of view”, it will feature a range of one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments.
Designed by leading architects Peddle Thorp, it will be supported by two levels of basement car parking and bicycle spaces.
The Geelong Advertiser was unable to speak to the developers, who did not respond to voicemail messages or emails.
However, the City of Great- er Geelong confirmed a permit for the site allows 121 residential apartments and four retail spaces.
The development is across the road from the landmark Geelong Silos, which were bought last year by real estate agent Jack Slater.
He has had plans drawn up to convert the six towering silos into 42 studio apartments, which he intends to aim at the university student and professional markets.
It is also within 50 metres of the site of the former $100 million WaterMarque apartment complex proposal.
First given approval in 2008, the 15-level twin tower plan was abandoned following the global financial crisis but had two permit extensions before it was officially scrapped.
Quay Consortium had wanted to build 80 serviced apartments, 77 dwellings and some retail and office spa.