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Plenary Group has secured development rights for the $294-million Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct as the city recovers from losing its role in the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The project includes a 14-storey commercial office tower, set to be the tallest in Geelong.
The office development, which is being undertaken in partnership with Quintessential Equity, will form part of an urban regeneration project being delivered as a public-private partnership between the Plenary Conventions Consortium and the Victorian government.
The state government will contribute $261 million to the project, with $30 million coming from the federal government and $3 million from the City of Greater Geelong.
Plenary will develop the 1.6ha waterfront site, on the land of traditional owners the Wadawurrung people, into a “world-class facility and precinct”.
Designs have been developed with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
The project includes a 100-seat venue in the purpose-built convention centre, and exhibition spaces as well as conference and event facilities.
Surrounding a large plaza, there will be a host of retail food and beverage offerings, as well as a 200-key Crowne Plaza hotel.
The Plenary Conventions consortium delivering the project comprises Plenary Group as sponsor and investor as well as hotel and commercial office developer.
Built will construct the site, working with local sub-contractors and suppliers “to maximise local content and jobs” while Woods Bagot has been appointed as architect with BGIS as services contractor.
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Preliminary works on the site are under way and construction is set to begin soon, with completion of the convention centre and hotel expected in 2026.
As part of Geelong’s $500-million City Deal, major developments including the Convention Centre and the Revitalising Central Geelong project will upgrade the city’s arts and cultural precincts and deliver waterfront and train infrastructure projects.
Geelong has also attracted major private investment in recent months with Amber Property Group $250-million mixed-use project at 35 Corio Street securing approval back in April, although the area was faced with the heavy blow after the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games.
