First look: Families the target of ‘boutique’ development that aims to add ‘diversity’ to Geelong’s apartment offerings

Another application for an apartment block in central Geelong has landed with the state government’s planning department. Find out where.

Render of the proposed residential development at 1 Little Ryrie St, Geelong.

Plans for a “boutique” seven-storey apartment complex a stone’s throw from Geelong’s busiest thoroughfare and a secondary school continues a push towards high-density, inner city living.

Rather than target young professionals as some other projects have, the proposal for 1 Little Ryrie St responds to what developer Hygge Property said was strong demand for family-sized apartment living in central Geelong.

The plans were lodged with the state government late last week and follow a flurry of applications for multistorey apartment blocks within walking distance of Geelong’s CBD.

The 27 apartments would range from 70sq metres to 272sq metres and feature 2-4 bedrooms.

North-facing apartments would have views of Corio Bay.

An additional three basement levels, accessed from Goodall Lane, would feature 40 car parks for residents, one visitor car park, and 27 spaces for bikes.

Pedestrian entry would be from Little Ryrie St.

The 1000sq metre Little Ryrie St site dates back to the mid-1800s when it was home to Wesley Church clergy.

There have been several additions since and the property, which sits opposite Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College and 50m from Latrobe Tce, most recently sold for $2m in December 2021.

Original aspects of the parsonage would be retained and feature a communal kitchen and dining hall.

A development application for 1 Little Ryrie St, Geelong, has been submitted to the state government.

Hygge director Adam Davidson said the property would appear to be only five storeys when viewed from Little Ryrie St due to the top levels being set back significantly.

He said this was done, in part, to ensure the heritage building remained the key feature.

“We’ve really gone to town on keeping and restoring the heritage house … doing everything we can to make that work,” Mr Davidson said.

He said the “boutique scale” project was aimed at families and downsizers.

“We didn’t want to compete in that space where there’s a lot of one and two bedrooms (apartments),” he said.

“It really will offer something up in terms of the diversity of apartments available for purchase in Geelong.”

Mr Davidson said he hoped the project would go to market in the second half of next year.

The planned development is less than 300m from Ryrie Home, a 14-storey apartment tower that’s part of the Geelong Quarter development at 44 Ryrie St.

Ryrie Home consists of 1-3 bedroom apartments that were marketed as “the perfect choice for the first homebuyer, young professional, downsizer or astute investor”.

At the northern gateway to the CBD, the state government recently approved the construction of two apartment blocks on York St.

Together, the York St developments will provide 166 one and two bedroom apartments.

Hygge is behind the 33-townhouse, seven-apartment project on Fitzroy St that was formerly the home of The Big Shed.

Meanwhile, new data released by Geelong council showed the “overnight population” of the region could exceed 400,000 during peak periods.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said work was ongoing to ensure future accommodation demands were met.

Originally published as First look: Families the target of ‘boutique’ development that aims to add ‘diversity’ to Geelong’s apartment offerings