BIG SHED HOUSING PLAN
Plan to transform South Geelong warehouse site into 40 dwellings
PLANS to transform a wellknown Geelong warehouse site into a multi-million-dollar housing development have been revealed.
Forty dwellings — 33 townhouses and seven apartments — are proposed for 135 Fitzroy St, with the planned development estimated to cost $9 million.
The large South Geelong warehouse site is known as The Big Shed, which hosted a well-known furniture outlet that closed late last year.
The heritage shed was once associated with prominent woolbroking firm Dennys Lascelles.
Proposed townhouses, detailed in plans lodged with City of Greater Geelong, would be two storeys and two or three bedrooms, with one four-bedroom home.
The seven apartments would be a mix of two and three bedrooms.
The Fitzroy St site, which is next to the train line and bordered by Forrest St and Carr St, has a total area of about 7493sq m.
“While appearing to be developed as one shed, the site has historically comprised several sheds, which have since been consolidated,” the planning report says.
“While the subject site is surrounded by established residential uses, the site has been historically used for industrial, and, more recently, retail purposes.”
According to the plans, the site is the largest intact residential lot within the immediate neighbourhood.
The original 1920s Glassworks building, located at the rear of the site, will be retained within the proposed new complex, and is set to be a “key landmark”.
“The demolition of warehouse additions over the site will further enhance the prominence, awareness and visibility of the glassworks building,” the planning report says.
A “communal open space” would be established centrally in the complex.
“It is easily accessible by future and existing residents, and of a usable size,” the planning report says.
“Dwellings are oriented towards it to make use of this important interface, creating a connection between the proposed dwelling and the public open space.”
The proposal provides one car space to each two-bedroom dwelling, and two car spaces to each dwelling with three or more bedrooms.
The planning report says the proposed development’s location is a “very large infill site and within close proximity to established community facilities and public transport”.
“It is, therefore, strategically well placed to be developed for medium-density housing,” the report says.
The plans are on public exhibition until September 13.