Motif development in Geelong wants to replace office space with more apartments, affordable housing

A Geelong CBD development that has already sold 60 per cent of its stock is seeking government approval to boost apartment numbers, including a doubling of its affordable housing component.

A bird’s eye view of the early works at the Motif development on York St. A builder expected to be announced shortly. Picture: Alan Barber.

The number of dwellings at a soon-to-be-built five-storey apartment complex at the northern edge of Geelong’s CBD will jump by more than 10 per cent if amended plans currently before the state government are given the all clear.

As part of changes proposed for the Motif development at 1 York St, the developers want to remove all but one ground floor commercial tenancy – a move that would see the total number of apartments increase from 129 to 145, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms.

Those set aside for affordable housing would also double from five to 10 apartments.

The project is a joint venture between DM Property and the local arm of Japanese property giant Kajima.

Preliminary site works commenced recently and DM’s Brendan Mullan said a builder would be appointed very shortly.

Construction is expected to start almost immediately after the green light is given by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Early works have commenced at the Motif development on York St. Picture: Alan Barber.

An initial permit was granted in July last year and amended plans were lodged in March.

“There’s probably not the market for that many offices in that location, so we’re going for apartments on the ground floor instead,” Mr Mullan said.

The one remaining ground floor commercial space is expected to be a hospitality outlet that would service residents and nearby workers.

Mr Mullan said 60 per cent of apartments had already sold and that construction work would be the catalyst for more inquiries.

He said with an additional 16 apartments overall, it made sense to increase the project’s affordable housing contribution, particularly given providers are looking for scale.

Affordable housing is accommodation where rents do not to exceed 30 per cent of household income.

The Motif development at 1 York St. Picture: Alan Barber.

Meanwhile, an adjacent site at 15 York St is being sold by Gartland Projects.

The state government, as part of the release of its long-awaited Housing Statement, approved plans for a six-storey, 37 apartment complex at the site in September last year.

“A social housing group is looking at it at the moment and a straight residential apartment developer as well,” Gartland’s Andre Veronie said in early March.

The government’s Central Geelong Framework Plan outlines the objectives of the “small but important York precinct”.

“New, preferably commercial development fronting Keera St/Latrobe Tce will present an inviting entry into central Geelong,” the plan states.

“Development abutting existing residential neighbourhoods to the north and east should be managed carefully to avoid amenity impacts on these areas.”

Originally published as Motif development in Geelong wants to replace office space with more apartments, affordable housing