Lineal Developments to build ‘vertical retirement village’ in Geelong

Retirement in Geelong has never looked like this. The state government has approved a development that will cater exclusively for retirees, with construction expected to commence soon.

Updated render of the “vertical retirement village” development at 23-35 Bellerine St, Geelong.

                                 

An apartment complex exclusively for retirees will be built in central Geelong following state government approval for the first of its kind project.

Located in the city’s health precinct at 23-35 Bellerine St, the 11-storey, 87-apartment project will offer in-home care and multiple on-site services, including an allied health facility and a range of activity rooms.

Lineal Developments is behind the project and co-director Mick Aylett said the Department of Transport and Planning’s (DTP) approval last week was years in the making.

National planning and design firm Tract managed the planning process on behalf of Lineal.

The company, which also has Darron Muir as co-director, began acquiring the 2355 sqm of land – spread over nine separate titles – more than five years ago.

Plans were officially lodged late last year.

The building was reduced by one level following consultation with DTP, but will still stand about 10m above the “preferred maximum building height” for the area, as outlined in the state government’s Central Geelong Framework Plan.

The government has the power to make exceptions when a compelling case that promotes community benefit is made.

Mr Aylett said Lineal would appoint an operator to oversee the day-to-day management of the site once construction was completed.

Construction will commence in the near future and residents could begin moving in from late 2026 or early 2027, he said.

An aerial view of the Lineal site that has frontage to both Bellerine and Little Malop streets.

Rather than purchasing an apartment, residents would effectively be offered a “lifetime lease”.

They would also be required to pay an annual fee.

“We got a team together to go through the data for Geelong and surrounds to see whether there was a market (for the retirement complex),” Mr Aylett said.

“There’s nothing like else it in town, so to be able to offer to Geelong the first of its kind, it’s pretty exciting.

“It’s a big win for the city.”

Mr Aylett said discussions were well progressed with an experienced operator to manage the site.

“It’s important to make sure that the operator is in keeping with what Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast wants and needs, and what the gap in the market requires,” he said.

“It (the complex) is really a stepping stone before needing higher care.”

Part of the site as it stands. Picture: Alan Barber.

Opposite the Lineal site, EVR Group, headed by former North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs footballer Jose Romero, lodged plans in July for a 12-storey, 34-apartment complex.

The apartments meet National Disability Insurance Scheme requirements and a community care provider would co-ordinate the NDIS participants and manage the site.

EVR has already entered into an agreement with a community care provider, according to the planning documents.

It is unclear who that provider is.

Originally published as Lineal Developments to build ‘vertical retirement village’ in Geelong