Fathom Group seeks council approval to develop 34 townhouses, restore Kardinia house

A historic Belmont home built for Geelong’s first mayor in the mid-1800s will be restored and sold as part of a plan to build 34 double-storey townhouses on a prime plot of riverside land.

A render showcasing some of the proposed townhouses. Source: Fathom Group.

The land on which one of Geelong’s most historic properties sits will be split into two to allow for the development of 34 double-storey townhouses just a stone’s throw from the Barwon River.

Fathom Group has lodged plans with City Hall for a $14.6m development at 1 Riverview Tce in Belmont after purchasing the 1.7ha site from genU last year for an undisclosed sum.

Under the plans submitted by consultancy firm Tract, the northwest portion of the site that takes in Kardinia homestead – originally built for Geelong pioneer Alexander Thomson – would become a stand-alone lot, with the remainder to be developed.

Plans have landed for an almost $15m riverside development on the corner of Riverview Tce and Barrabool Rd that involves the construction of 34 townhouses. Picture: Alan Barber

The townhouses, designed by Plus Architecture, would be constructed in six “blocks” at the rear of the homestead, two of which would face Riverview Tce.

The remainder would be set back from the street, while the frontage to Barrabool Rd would form part of a landscaped park accessible to residents.

Fathom director John Grigg said Kardinia would be restored to its original condition as a residential home, with the removal of “unsympathetic” 1960s additions.

The developer says the townhouses were designed with the site’s history in mind. Source: Fathom Group.

He said the plans underscored the company’s commitment to blending heritage conservation with contemporary townhouses that respect the character of the original property.

“As a local business, we take immense pride in contributing to the growth and development of Geelong,” Mr Grigg said.

“This project not only preserves the past but also provides a thoughtful and sustainable addition to Belmont’s housing stock.

“We are fully aware of the challenges that come with redeveloping heritage buildings of this significance, and we look forward to continuing our good working relationship with Heritage Victoria and the City of Greater Geelong to bring this development to life.”

The Kardinia homestead as it stands currently. Picture: Alan Barber.

For the subdivision to be formalised Fathom needs to bring Kardinia up to a standard that satisfies Heritage Victoria.

Almost all of the townhouses would offer three bedrooms, two car parks and a balcony.

The internal layout of each is configured to provide open plan living, with the kitchen, dining areas and a private open space on the ground floor, and the bedrooms on the upper floor.

“Our client has advised that a yield of 34 townhouses is the minimum number required and any reduction would render the project unviable, noting the fixed cost associated with restoration works to Kardinia House,” Tract said in its application.

“Restoring Kardinia House adds significant financial burden to the project, making the scale of development essential to ensure these works, and the development as a whole, can be funded.”

A plaque at the entrance to Kardinia acknowledges Alexander Thomson, a Scot who settled in Geelong in 1837 and would become the city’s first elected mayor in 1850.

“Virtually the first settler in Geelong he was involved in most commercial and civic activities in the town,” the plaque notes.

Dr Alexander Thomson was Geelong’s first mayor.

The site sits within Geelong council’s Barrabool Hills ward, represented by Ron Nelson who last month led the opposition against a 21-apartment Barrabool Rd proposal on “neighbourhood character” grounds.

Public consultation on the Fathom application ends May 25.

Originally published as Fathom Group seeks council approval to develop 34 townhouses, restore Kardinia house