Former Geelong Post Office hits the market for the first time
The former Geelong Post Office has been put on the market by the City of Geelong in a joint sales and leasing campaign intended to see the architectural revival of the iconic structure.
The 1300-square-metre site at 83 Ryrie Street is being sold via an expressions of interest campaign.
Built in about 1889, the post office ceased operating in 1994 and was acquired from the Victorian government by the council later that year. It has served as office accommodation, although Colliers International’s Ben Young (who, along with colleagues Jonathon Lumsden and Sam Neale, has been appointed to sell or lease the property) said it had been vacant for some time.
The two-storey rendered brick building remains relatively intact although the interior has been subject to alterations over the years, including an extension during the 1960s. Distinctive external features include a clock tower, installed in 1911 to commemorate the death of King Edward VII.
“[It] originally included postal and telegraph services on the ground floor, with government offices on the first floor. Residential accommodation for the postmaster was provided to the west side of the building over both levels,” Mr Young said.
He said the large, unique building was in a prominent location in town and was suited to a variety of uses.
“It could be used for an office, hotel, motel, other accommodation, we’re really wanting [buyers] to come to us and let us know what they want to use it for,” he said.
Mr Young declined to provide a price guide, citing a lack of similar properties in the city. He said that a better idea of price expectations would emerge after the end of the first part of the two-stage sale process.
“Situated on the corner of two of Geelong’s most prominent streets, this property stands tall, demanding a significant presence on the ever changing Geelong streetscape,” Mr Young said.
“The Geelong train station is a short walk away, connecting Geelong to Melbourne in under an hour. Surrounding this opportunity is both local and state government organisations together with prominent private businesses.”
Any future use of the building will likely require internal and external improvements, with an emphasis given to retaining and conserving the property’s original features, although some of the additional structures are able to be removed.
Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city and is in the fastest-growing region in the state.
The building will be sold or leased through an expressions of Interest campaign closing on March 26, with an additional tender process for successful submissions to occur after that.
