Bold vision for Queen-Vic style permanent market in Geelong city centre

A prominent design studio has unveiled concept plans for a permanent public market to be built in the city centre. SEE THE PLANS.

A prominent Melbourne design studio has unveiled concept plans for a Queen Vic Market-style permanent public market to be built in the heart of Geelong.

TANDEM Design Studio – which played major roles in the conception of Federation Square in Melbourne and The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart – unveiled a vision for a CBD market in Geelong on Friday.

While there are no current plans to build a public market in Geelong’s CBD, the design group drew up their concept in an effort to explore the idea, which they argued could boost Geelong’s economy, revitalise the CBD’s ‘city heart’ and help nurture and grow small businesses.

Artists visualisation_ view of the market from Gheringap Street along Transit Place towards Clare Street_Copyright TANDEM Design Studio

TANDEM Design Studio director James Murray said the concept – located on the Gheringhap St Waterfront Christian Church site – would be a means of boosting Geelong’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery.

“Markets have been shown to create a strong uplift to their surroundings, increasing footfall, stimulating new business activity and improving the revenue of established businesses,” Mr Murray said.

“Establishing a market can be achieved relatively affordably, initially utilising temporary structures to prototype and test market configuration and retail mix before investing in any permanent structures.

Artists visualisation_ Plan of proposed Geelong Market on the current Waterfront Christian Church site_Copyright TANDEM Design Studio

“A good market appeals to both locals and tourists. It’s a place where you can go and get affordable, good quality local products. And it has a wealth of experience for people coming into town wanting to understand what makes that area special, looking to discover the goods, crafts and skills unique to this region.

“That kind of deeper connection is what you can offer with a market that’s really connected to its place.”

Mr Murray said a permanent public market would act as a linchpin of the City of Greater Geelong’s plan to establish a new ‘city heart’ via the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan.

A market place would help continue the revitalisation of the CBD already underway with the city’s new Wurriki Nyal civic headquarters, the Malop St Green Spine and the revitalisation of the arts precinct, Mr Murray said.

TANDEM has previousoly contributed to designs and renewal strategies for some of Australia’s leading permanent public markets including the Queen Victoria Market.

Originally published as Bold vision for Queen-Vic style permanent market in Geelong city centre