Council offers landmark former Geelong Post Office for sale or lease

The former Geelong Post Office is the second Victorian post office developed in 1889 to be offered for sale this year.

The former Geelong Post Office is being sold by the local council – but only after it approves what a new owner has in mind.

Described as a public feature, the two storey French Second Empire style building with a clock tower was developed between 1889-1890.

At 83 Ryrie Street, on the north west corner of Gherinhap Street, it is speculated the property could sell for about $5 million.

However, council is not going for top-dollar in this case; its expressions of interest campaign instead calling for re purposing proposals.

After that, City of Greater Geelong will call in the preferred bidders to make an offer.

Suitors are expected to include owner occupiers and investors.

If one of the proposals is mixed-use, council is hoping Australia Post will occupy part of it again as a small branch.

Colliers International’s Geelong office director Andrew Lewis, with colleagues Ben Young, Jonathon Lumsden and Sam Neale, are also marketing the unrenovated asset to renters.

“The two-storey rendered brick structure originally included postal and telegraph services on the ground floor, with government offices on the first floor,” Mr Young said.

“Residential accommodation for the postmaster was provided to the west side of the building over both levels,” he added.

The asset includes 1695 square metres of area and sits on a 1300 sqm block zoned Activity Centre.

“Located at the gateway to Geelong’s CBD… the former Geelong Post Office was ideally positioned to access the exceptional local amenity that Geelong has to offer including the expansive

Johnstone Park, Arts Precinct, Little Malop Street Precinct and the Geelong Waterfront,” Mr Lewis said.

“Situated on the corner of two of Geelong’s most prominent streets, this property stands tall, demanding a significant presence on the ever changing …streetscape”.

The property is not far from Geelong train station, which connects the region to Melbourne in under an hour.

Earlier this month the Salvation Army listed the Geelong Conference Centre for sale.

In October we reported Paul Little and the local council launched a twice daily ferry service connecting Geelong and Docklands.

Also four months ago, council also unveiled plans to build a $200 million headquarters, office investment, and public space, which will be developed by Quintessential Equity.

Geelong is the second c1889 post office listing this month

The Parkville building Australia Post sold more than 20 years ago to its landlord.

The former Geelong Post office listing comes three weeks after we reported the Parkville Post Office is for sale.

The historic Melbourne facility, also developed in 1889, is still occupied by Australia Post, which sold it to the current vendors more than 20 years ago.

Woodards Glenn Bartlett is expecting between $3.6-$3.9 million for 69 Fitzgibbon Street, Parkville.

In October, 2018, Probuild founder Phil Mehrten sold the former Prahran Post Office, now a swank mixed-use commercial investment, for $13.4 million.

The 168 Greville Street building was developed in 1928, replacing a post office developed in 1890, but destroyed by fire in 1914.

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.