Prime sites hit the market
LANDMARK properties offered in Geelong West and Ocean Grove provide opportunities to leverage their size and position for multi-storey residential developments.
The commercial sites have hit the market and attracted strong interest from developers and other groups.
A two-storey tenanted investment at 68 The Terrace, Ocean Grove, offers real development potential with a 13.5m height limit offering uninterrupted ocean and Barwon River views.
The property is expected to attract offers above $3m.
Darcy Jarman Newtown agent Andrew Prowse said there were secure leases, with demolition clauses, for the long-term tenants, RT Edgar and Ocean Grove Cellars, generating more than $124,000 a year.
But Mr Prowse said the highest and best use of the 606sq m property was in a mixed use redevelopment capitalising on the commercial position with office and residential apartments on up to four levels.
“There is a lot of underutilised land at the rear that can and will be eventually developed on and you are one of only 11 properties on the east side of the road that can go 13.5m, so you will get virtually uninterrupted views of the water,” he said.
“You may even have a level of office, but you will certainly keep a retail presence, potentially an element of office given the lack of availability in that
precinct and then using the views from the higher levels, three and four if you like, towards the water and the Barwon River where you will achieve some strong residential rates.”
Mr Prowse said there was a mix of interest, including local, Melbourne and interstate investors and developers.
“Those key commercial precincts on the Bellarine Peninsula are running at next to
zero vacancy rates and I can’t see that changing any time soon, given that level of demand from a residential perspective down there,” he said.
Expressions of interest close on June 1 at 3pm. MEANWHILE, Maxwell Collins Geelong agent Don Hough said developers made up most interest in an 1100sq m corner site at 20 Isabella St, Geelong West.
Owned by the same family
for 75 years, the property was originally Hennessy’s Dairy but since 1945 until recently was home to Mitts dry cleaning.
The owners believe developers can leverage the industrial history of the property with a potential multi-level unit development that could retain commercial or office space at street level.
The existing heritage street level with zero setbacks could be retained, giving setbacks to neighbouring properties, according to design guidelines allowing for multi-level developments and limiting overshadowing.
“It’s on a corner location
and probably has the two widest streets in Geelong West, which makes the block very attractive from the point of view of a redevelopment site,” Mr Hough said. “It’s an 1100sq m block where the great interest today is coming from people who can see the benefit of a multi-unit site.
“It’s very close to all the amenities, with access back to Church St and Ballarat Rd, and it’s walking distance to the Pakington St shops.”
He said the campaign had been very strong, with about 100 inquiries. It is expected to sell for about $1.9m.
Expressions of interest close on May 18 at 4pm.