Geelong Post Office hotel plans to boost city’s businesses

Plans for a hotel and hospitality complex at the old Geelong post office will give confidence to businesses operating on Ryrie and Gheringhap streets and improve links with the Geelong Arts Centre, commercial property agents say.

Geelong’s council squared away a deal to sell the landmark to Geelong CBD developer-landlord Bill Votsaris’s Batman Management Group.

Votsaris’ plans would offer a boutique hotel and a wellness centre, a restaurant, rooftop bar, cafe, and public artwork.

The development would reinstate the grand entry on Gheringhap Street.

The original 1890 fabric of the post office, and the 1910 clock tower, would be retained, while a 1960s addition to the north would be demolished, making way for a detached building on the same site.

Geelong’s council sold the building through a two-stage process lead firstly by Colliers International, Geelong agents that attracted extensive interest, including “four of Melbourne’s most active historic developers of retail and hospitality venues”.

Colliers agent Ben Young said the development would be a great outcome for the CBD.

“I think it’s outstanding what his plans are for the site,” Young said.

88 Ryrie St, Geelong, is for lease. The building is opposite the old Geelong post office, which is set to be partially redeveloped as a hotel and hospitality complex.

“It’s going to really link the Geelong Arts Centre precinct with the CBD into Little Malop Street and to the core of the CBD.

“It feel it’s on the back of the success of Little Malop Street starting to branch out a little further right through Ryrie Street and up to Gheringhap Street.”

Gartland Property, Geelong agent Adam Farrell said the development would inject confidence for business owners who are shaping that section of the central business district.

Food businesses like Augustus Gelatery and Asian barbecue restaurant Sumi had opened, while the owners of Popcultcha were preparing to relocate to the Griffiths Bookstore building, he said.

“I believe that little pocket is now starting to take shape.

A drawing of the proposed development of the old Geelong post office.

A sandwich bar is set to replace The Rio coffee lounge on Ryrie Street. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

“That’s only going to enhance that position and give those businesses in and around there more confidence,” he said.

Young said a new tenant has signed a long-term lease for the former Rio Coffee Lounge site, opposite the old post office.

“He’s going to open that up as a sandwich bar and is currently going through a renovation and fit-out,” Young said.

“It’s going to be good. Fresh ideas, modernise the place.”

88 Ryrie St, Geelong, is for lease.

88 Ryrie St, Geelong, is for lease.

Attention then turns the southeast corner of the intersection where real estate agency Hocking Stuart has closed.

Farrell is handling the leasing campaign for the two-storey building at 88 Ryrie Street, asking $48,000 a year, plus GST and outgoings.

He said despite an initial retail inquiry, the building was best suited to a service industry, like a real estate agent, accountant or financial planner seeking maximum exposure.

“You can’t beat that corner for exposure,” he said.

This article from the Geelong Advertiser originally appeared as “Geelong post office hotel plans to deliver boost for city businesses”.