Developers unveil latest multimillion dollar apartment block plans for Portarlington
Designs have been put forward for a proposed 31-apartment development in the heart of Portarlington, revealing how an existing heritage-listed church hall on the site will be utilised.
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A heritage church will be shifted to make way for a four-storey apartment block in Portarlington, in the latest multimillion-dollar major housing project for the small seaside town.
Planning documents lodged with the City of Greater Geelong unveiled the $10.5m bid to build the four-storey block of 31 apartments on Harding St, just one street back from the town’s main drag.
Under the plans, the heritage St Patricks Catholic Hall will be relocated on the block and transformed into a cafe.
The apartment building will feature two levels of basement carparking, four single-bedroom apartments, 25 double-bedroom apartments and two top-floor triple-bedroom apartments.
Planning documents noted the development responded to an expected need for increased housing diversity and density in Portarlington, and did so using a “high architectural quality” design.
“The design draws inspiration from Portarlington’s rich history of the use and production of brick,” the documents noted. The softened form draws inspiration from the surrounding coastline.”
“The proposed development will contribute positively to the streetscape and activate the corner of Harding St and Fenwick St.”
The planned development will “relocate and rotate” the historically significant St Patricks Catholic Hall on the site, which was built in 1942 and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database as being of “historic and social significance to the local Portarlington community”.
“The activation and repurpose of St Patricks Hall as a cafe will ensure the continued appreciation of this valuable heritage building for the enjoyment of the wider community,” planning documents noted.
“Additionally, the proposed commercial uses will provide valuable employment opportunities within the township.”
The planning application will remain open for public comment until March 31.
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