The City of Greater Geelong has shortlisted two potential contractors for the redevelopment of the historic Osborne House in North Geelong.
Following an expressions of interest process launched last year and a panel evaluation of submissions, the City has shortlisted the Gurner Group and the Hamilton Group for the redevelopment.
The two companies will now work through a two-stage design process before the council selects its preferred candidate.
This will include collaboration with the City to ensure the designs and proposed uses meet the heritage, environmental, community and cultural requirements of the project.
Community members with an interest in Osborne House will also work with the City as part of the design process.
It is expected the redevelopment will come before council in the middle of the year.
The council had previously committed to keeping Osborne House in public ownership and allocated $10 million over four years towards its restoration and redevelopment.
The EOI process had called for potential partners willing to invest in the site as a community and cultural heritage precinct.
Submitters were invited to propose a mix of community, public and commercial uses, with retention of the buildings’ heritage values as a key priority.
Osborne House portfolio chair Eddy Kontelj said the shortlisting of potential partners marked a significant step forward in the journey to bring new life to the site.
“We know the historical significance and the huge potential of the Osborne House precinct, as well as its importance to the local community,” Cr Kontelj said.
“It’s exciting to have two shortlisted candidates vying to partner with us in the project and we’re looking forward to seeing the outcome of the design process and ultimately making a decision.”
Osborne House portfolio deputy chair Anthony Aitken said the 1858 bluestone building deserved to reclaim its place as a celebrated and central part of the Geelong landscape.
“We have been determined to see Osborne House and the surrounding site given the restoration and new life it is worthy of, and we are now closer than ever,” Cr Aitken said.
“The significance of this announcement cannot be underestimated.
“The confirmation of two well-respected and financed bidders who both support community access and restoration of Osborne House means that after 20-plus years we may finally have an acceptable solution for this undervalued part of Geelong’s history.”
The City of Greater Geelong has already carried out more than $500,000 in restoration works, including underpinning and stabilisation of the stable walls, façade repairs and painting, and repair or replacement of 40 windows and more than 40 French doors in the main bluestone building.
The total cost of redevelopment has been estimated at $21 million or above depending on the final plans.
Hamilton Group managing director Cam Hamilton said he was excited for “the potential opportunity to help the Osborne House precinct achieve a bright future that celebrates its rich history”.
“We’ve already been invested in this project with the council and community for over five years,” he said.
“Our in-depth local knowledge and proven ability to deliver award-winning heritage projects in the region are the key elements that can ensure real wide-ranging community, cultural and economic benefits are properly delivered on this very important site.”
Gurner Group founder and director Tim Gurner said he aimed to “deliver something that is sensitive to the community’s needs and requirements, now and long into the future, while still bringing a world-class development to Geelong”.
“The site has got such a rich local history, and we want to celebrate and complement that through Osborne House, as we’ve done throughout the likes of Collingwood and St Kilda in Melbourne, and Fortitude Valley in Brisbane,” he said.
“Heritage projects are a passion of mine and I love breathing new life into the past, while implementing design elements, amenities and features that celebrate a site’s history.”
