Plans have been filed for a twin-peak commercial tower in Ballarat as interest in regional Victoria heats up ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The proposed building in the CBD would occupy a 367sq m site at 222 Mair Street, across the road from the city’s controversial Gov Hub. An exisiting carpark would make way for the tower.
The brick-clad building designed by John Wardle architects, who also designed the Gov Hub, would have two sections, both of six storeys: a northern section, next to Hancocks Lane, and a southern, fronting Mair Street.
ASIC records show Klynton Krause as the sole director of 39-41 Lake Road, which filed the application. He is also the director of Krause Bricks in Stawell, and the registered proprietor of this site.
According to a submitted planning report, the new building will target zero greenhouse emission and will include a solar cell system.
The estimated development cost for the proposal is $10.1 million.
The site was first developed in the 1870s and was occupied by double-storey, timber-framed coach building works, which was redeveloped in 1900 as a commercial building.
Surrounding sites on Mair Street include late-Victorian, interwar and post-war architecture.
The Gov Hub, which is potentially home to 1000 public servants, is part of the state government’s plans to decentralise the public sector workforce and was opened in 2021.
It has been criticised for being under-utilised, not delivering on a promise it would reactivate the surrounding area, and inadequate carparking.
Ballarat is one of the regional Victorian cities that will host events for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and upgrades to the Eureka Stadium have been revealed as part of that role.
The $150-million upgrade to the stadium is expected to generate $3 billion for the state economy and create 7500 jobs.
