Hamilton Group gets green light to transform former Pegasus Antiques site

The Hamilton Group, lauded for its restoration of historic Geelong buildings, has added another project to its books, this time on the banks of the Barwon River in Newtown.

The Hamilton Group has had its plans approved to redevelop a historic building in Newtown. Picture: Alan Barber

A riverfront restaurant will be built as part of the Hamilton Group’s latest multimillion-dollar project after Geelong’s planning committee overruled a recommendation to refuse the application.

Committee chair Andrew Katos used his casting vote to approve the project at the former site of Pegasus Antiques at 550 Latrobe Blvd that also includes office and retail components.

The restaurant, located at the southern end of the 3655 sqm site, will have a capacity of 250 people and include a two-level outside deck overlooking the Barwon River.

A basement carpark with space for approximately 50 vehicles will be built in an effort to appease concern from council officers and nearby businesses about the impact of increased traffic in the area.

Two outdoor decks will offer views over the Barwon River.

Hamilton Group managing director Cam Hamilton told the committee that restoration of the 155-year-old one-time wool mill mirrored other projects undertaken by the company.

He likened the opportunities to activate the riverfront to what has occurred at Eastern Beach.

“Who doesn’t like going for a walk along the river and enjoying a nice wine, beer or short lunch … there’s plenty of demand,” Mr Hamilton said.

“We’re ready to go and we will get this done, so if we want to see progress in the area … please support this proposal and help me get something done.”

Hamilton Group has won multiple awards for its Cam Hamilton is pictured here at the UDIA Awards for Excellence in 2022.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj, whose Kardinia ward takes in the site, brought the application before the committee after city officers recommended it be refused, primarily over carparking concerns.

Mr Kontelj supported the granting of a permit, along with Mr Katos and Ron Nelson, while Emma Sinclair, Elise Wilkinson and Anthony Aitken opposed it.

“It’s a magnificent site, we want to see it repurposed and want to see it done by a developer who is sensitive to the heritage and doing it in a way to leave a legacy, not just to flip it,” he said.

“The history of this owner group is that they develop very sensitive to heritage and then they hold and ensure the tenancy mix is right.”

Hamilton Group is currently restoring the Regent Theatre and Bright and Hitchcock building in the CBD, following similar projects at Federal Mills in North Geelong and 400 Pakington St.

Looking south across the Barwon River. Picture: Alan Barber.

Ten people formally objected the project and they have 28 days to appeal the decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Directly to the north of the Hamilton Group site will be a four-storey apartment building that is being led by developer Wayne Jennings.

The $90m, 57-apartment, 17-townhouse project was approved by VCAT after Mr Jennings amended plans that included altering the internal road system and access to the site from Latrobe Blvd, and increasing measures to protect a historic Moreton Bay fig tree.

“It’s the only piece of land on the riverbank as such where the rowers go straight under your nose,” Mr Jennings said in April.

Originally published as Hamilton Group gets green light to transform former Pegasus Antiques site