Hamilton Group’s Glasshouse fills faster than expected with engineering, construction, port industry
A major renovation of the 35,000sq m former Pilkington Glass factory at Pivot City is proving hot property with the office spaces on track to be completely filled within a year. SEE THE PROGRESS
Geelong
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Tenancies across 35,000sq m at Pivot City, in North Geelong, could be full within a year as its developer the Hamilton Group experiences increasing demand from industry for office space.
The major Geelong developer has used the recent Covid lockdown to complete a $12m renovation of the former Pilkington Glass factory, transforming it into the 10,000sq m Glasshouse commercial space.
The work, which required 20 construction jobs, has so far provided office space for All West engineering, South Korean powdered milk manufacturer Maeil and personal protective equipment supplier Sanitex.
Hamilton Group director Andrew Hamilton said demand for office space in the Glasshouse and wider precinct was being driven by engineering, construction and the port industry.
“Not even we expected the Glasshouse to fill up this quickly,” he said.
“New opportunities are taking hold in North Geelong and we believe this site is contributing to that.”
The Glasshouse, along with the adjacent Federal Mills commercial precinct across 25,000sq m, referred to as Pivot City, was recently short-listed for an urban renewal award from the Victoria arm of the Urban Development Institute of Australia.
The Hamilton Group has spent $64m on the site, which houses 60 organisations with 1100 employees.
The Glasshouse, which the Hamilton Group has owned since 2006, has five spaces to be leased and continues to field inquiries from businesses wanting to leverage the arrival of the Spirit of Tasmania at Geelong Port next year.
A large-scale education training group and a greenfield developer are about to establish offices at the Glasshouse.
The Federal Mills is home to construction engineering company SMEC, construction company Symal, EPA Victoria, environmental consultant Scaada and engineering consultant Simon Anderson.
Mr Hamilton said the Federal Mills was filling with Geelong Port-related entities with the recent arrival of Ports Victoria and the Australia Border Force due to set up an office there soon.
More than 2000sq m of office space was leased to port industry tenants during the most recent Covid lockdown.
Mr Hamilton said that within the next six months tenants would move into 4000sq m of commercial space across the Federal Mills and Glasshouse.
He said the Hamilton Group saw potential to cater for future growth by developing more commercial space at the power station site, which is across the road from Federal Mills and has sat derelict for about 50 years.
“We see an opportunity in creating room for port and industrial administration to provide room for further growth,” Mr Hamilton said.
The Hamilton Group has owned the power station site that fronts Corio Bay since 2018 and believes there is an opportunity for a specialist development to meet future needs.
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Originally published as Hamilton Group’s Glasshouse fills faster than expected with engineering, construction, port industry
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