Case Studies
Kilgour Place

Design Feature

Type of project
Structure Plan
State
Victoria
Location
Regional
When the Gordon Institute of TAFE consolidated its activities on two main campuses in Geelong, it vacated a prime location on Moorabool Street, close to the centre of the CBD and within easy walking distance of public transport. This created an opportunity for an urban renewal project that would address the demand for smaller households to meet the needs of Geelong’s ageing population. Development Victoria was responsible for developing a master plan for the site and obtaining planning approvals for the project.
Urban renewal
Development Victoria (then Vic Urban) began development on the Geelong inner-city infill development, Kilgour Place, in 2010. The then derelict site featured the 1920s Gordon Junior Technical School heritage building, which has performed various functions and remains a rich part of Geelong’s history. Originally, Development Victoria had funding set aside to develop an identified site in Melbourne, however felt that it would be better used to create a mixed-use, vibrant local community in central Geelong, which was master planned to include commercial, social housing, and medium density residential development. Kilgour Place has delivered on urban renewal, increasing inner city living options to support the core of Geelong, sustainability initiatives, quality urban design and the need for affordable housing. It is a master planned community development, with tree-lined streets centred around an architecturally designed pocket neighbourhood park, which helps to create a sense of community.

The project aligns with the Central Geelong Action Plan, to double the number of people living in the city’s centre by 2028 (from 4,200 people to 10,000) while respecting heritage buildings. Kilgour Place offers dwelling choices for a diverse community, including quality townhouses well suited to young professional couples, downsizers and investors. 
Stage 1 included apartments to provide affordable rentals for the over 55s market, delivered under the Federal Government Nation Building Housing Program’s Social Housing initiative. Stage 2 consists of 30 townhouses and Stage 2a, the final stage, includes 37 serviced apartments within the converted heritage building and 5 townhouses. 

It was the first development to offer lot sizes of approximately 150 square metres, which was considerably smaller than the conventional medium density products being constructed in Central Geelong at that time, and this was the first apartment-style social housing development catering solely for ages 55 plus. 
Sustainability is a key focus for Development Victoria and their vision was to ensure that this was incorporated in to the Kilgour Place project. To affirm this, all 30 Stage 1 townhouses were developed with a 6-star sustainability rating. The re-development of the heritage building, which was transformed into serviced apartments, also had a strong sustainability focus and has been recognised as Geelong’s first 4.5 star rated serviced apartments. As the majority of stock sold during the Global Financial Crisis – this is a testament to the uniqueness and strength of this project.
Project team
  • Development Victoria (developer)
  • City of Greater Geelong
  • BBP Architects
  • Mark Gratwick Architects
  • Integrated Development Solutions (Builder)
  • SPIIRE (Consultants)

Project Cost
Approximately $50 Million 
Health Value
  • The development of a central park, called Slater Square, which has walkways and cycling paths encourage and support physical activity and community connections.
  • The Park is now only a five-minute walk to South Geelong Rail Station, part of the regional rail route to Melbourne, linking the two cities.
  • Increased walkability of the site to both Central Geelong, and to transport links to Melbourne, provides access to the full spectrum of city-centric employment opportunities and promotes ‘car-free’ housing.
  • The reserve is centrally located within inner Geelong, with easy walking connections to CBD and the waterfront.
  • A series of undiscovered laneways weave from central Geelong through to Slater Square providing increased connectivity across the city.

Economic value
  • Majority of properties sold during the Global Financial Crisis with competitive selling prices and completion within budget. These townhouses met unprecedented demand, and are all occupied– sold to a variety of buyers including young couples, investors, downsizers and families.
  • Sales have brought a modest profit to the Victorian Government with private investment in this project, upwards of $10 million.
  • The re-use of the Gordon Technical College as ‘The Devlin Serviced Apartments’ has provided additional on-site employment opportunities, from management positions to service sector jobs.

Environmental Value
  • The sustainability focus for the development achieved a 6-star rating, which is a first for a local community development in Central Geelong.
  • To cater for the sustainability focus of the development, solar panels were placed on the rooftops of the townhouses in inconspicuous locations so they were not visible from any of the street fronts.
  • Both the Kilgour Apartments and the 6-star houses feature gas boosted solar hot water systems and water saving devices, including rainwater tanks for toilet flushing and garden irrigation; energy efficient lighting; low maintenance landscaped courtyards and water efficient fixtures.

Social value
  • The over 55s affordable (social) housing apartments are one of the first of this dwelling type in the Geelong area. Their look and feel, along with the special amenities that cater for this demographic, has created a welcome addition to the local community.
  • Being within Central Geelong, residents can walk to employment opportunities within the central activity area. This includes access to careers in the retail, health care and social assistance, education and training, and public administration and safety sectors.
  • One of the key features at the central park is the provision of a shelter structure, which was considered essential to provide a community meeting space, which enables people to come together and build social connections in the neighbourhood.
  • A footpath linking the development from north to south was created to provide a direct pedestrian pathway from Kardinia Park north towards the CBD, and provide an immediate sense of social cohesion.

Use value
Kilgour Place is located within an area recognised as ‘inner city living’ by the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme. This key development area promotes medium and higher density housing consistent with the activity centre focus of Central Geelong.
There is currently no other mixed-use community in the Geelong region that features the unique combination of a restored heritage building for serviced apartments, apartment-style social housing, commercial retail space, and inner-city townhouses.
The Devlin re-development and re-use of the heritage building as serviced apartments won a Heritage Award as part of the National Trust Heritage Festival 2016.

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