East End Ringwood: Sunstone Projects quiet on status of $145m project

A developer won’t say if its landmark Ringwood project worth hundreds of millions of dollars will go ahead, with hardly any action on site for more than a year.

The progress of a landmark development on Ringwood’s doorstep remains uncertain, with its developer refusing to give an update on its progress and guarantee it will go ahead.

A bobcat was spotted on Monday at the site of the highly anticipated East End project at 28-30 Maroondah Highway, one of the first signs of activity for more than a year.

Leader reported in January 2021 that apartment sales had paused for the project, with its official website removed and a display suite at Eastland shopping centre closing down.

Signage on the site promoting the project was also removed and has not been replaced.

A bobcat at the site of the planned East End mixed used project on Maroondah Highway, Ringwood on March 21, 2022. Picture: Kiel Egging.

An artist’s impression of the East End project at 28-30 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood Picture: Supplied.

The project, estimated by engineers O’Neill Group to cost $145m, was being co-ordinated by real estate agent Marshall White and developer Sunstone Projects.

It was to include 354 apartments and penthouses in two towers, with one tower to reach a record-breaking 19-storeys.

When apartments initially went on sale in early 2020, $17m in sales was secured in the first month.

East End is no longer featured on Marshall White’s website, and inquiries were passed on to Sunstone, whose spokesman Lincoln Fei said the company had “no further updates” on the project despite several questions via email.

Mr Fei hung up on Leader when called and asked whether East End was still going ahead.

Details of the project remain on Sunstone’s website with completion “anticipated” for 2023.

It notes a cinema, library and lounge will be available for residents, while a town square, shops and restaurants and co-working space have also been previously planned for inclusion.

A third tower at East End was set to boast the stylish AC Hotel by the Marriott Group, with more than 200 rooms across eight storeys.

An artist’s impression of the hotel foyer at the proposed AC Marriott hotel in Ringwood/ Picture: Supplied.

East End was envisaged to have plenty of public space along with its apartment towers and hotel. Picture: Supplied.

Marriott International spokeswoman Florencia Aimo said the company remained committed to “seeing an AC Hotel materialize in Ringwood” but was awaiting further information from the developer.

Ms Aimo said the “far-reaching impacts of Covid-19 has seen timelines extended for all of Marriott International’s new hotel projects in Australia.”

The site is near EastLink and opposite The Coach hotel, and was the former home of Ringwood’s much-loved Iceland skating rink, which closed in 2005.

The most recent amendments to East End and its permit were approved by Maroondah Council on April 27, 2020.

An expiry date was not listed, but as part of conditions, the council stated the permit would expire if work did not begin in the two years after it was issued.

The council did not respond to questions by deadline.