Sky’s the limit for CBD

CENTRAL Geelong’s first high-rise apartment developments are taking shape.

Construction has started on the 21-storey Miramar development, while work is expected to begin next week on the 15-storey The Mercer.

An Oliver Hume report shows a rapidly growing and sharply transformed Geelong community with these developments and the WorkSafe and NDIA buildings breathing new life into central Geelong.

Whitford Newtown agent Andre Veronie said builder LU Simon started at Miramar’s Cavendish St site a couple of weeks ago.

“They are not just grand ideas, they are actually being built now,” Mr Veronie said.

He said more than 90 per cent of the apartments had sold, with only 10 left.

Less than 500m away, construction is expected to begin on The Mercer on Monday, with Maxcon Constructions bringing the project to life. The Mercer is 90 per cent sold, with only 14 apartments left.

Developer Matthew Sun, originally from Shanghai, has lived in Geelong for 25 years and said the lifestyle, community and environment were beyond comparison.

“I’m so excited to have reached this significant project milestone and to watch The Mercer take shape on the city skyline ... this was my dream when we purchased the land 15 years ago,” Mr Sun said.

The development is appealing to professionals, canny investors and downsizers like Robyn and Greg Barber.

The Barbers live and work in Melbourne, but when they decided to downsize, they were relieved to find what they wanted in Geelong — the hometown they left 20 years earlier.

“There are professional opportunities plus lifestyle and affordability while still being readily accessible to Melbourne,” Mr Barber said.

Construction has also started on G1 Apartments, while construction on the redevelopment of The Ritz is expected to begin in July.