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LONDON: Architectural innovation is drawing boomers into mixed use highrise projects on regeneration sites in city centres.

Bold plans to “beautify” a small block in Newtown with a mixed-use complex have been lodged with Geelong council.

The proposed development of a three to four-storey commercial and residential complex at the corner of Rutland and Hampton streets is estimated to cost $12m.

The developers, Brenzem Pty Ltd, in conjunction with Ratio Consultants, are seeking to build 11 dwellings, including three townhouses and eight apartments.

In a town planning report submitted to the City of Greater Geelong, the proposal also outlines potential space for cafes and restaurants, retail and a basement to host underground parking space.

Geelong-based company Brenzem said it was looking to “revitalise” a currently under-utilised and vacant precinct, with only three separate dwellings and a warehouse currently occupying the site.

“As Geelong residents, we feel an overriding responsibility to deliver a quality building worthy of the precinct, which reflects the area’s architectural history and which the local and wider Geelong community will find exciting, innovative and iconic,” they wrote in the planning report.

In an attempt to “beautify the street”, the developers are also seeking approval to remove four power poles and power lines as well as restrict the number of required parking spaces for incoming residents.

Outlined in their planning report to council, they hope to limit parking to preserve the street scape in front of the complex and encourage residents to use public transport and push bikes to get around.

“We believe this will be a destination building that will not only attract visitors but significantly raise the bar for future development in the arts precinct of Geelong,” they wrote.

The proposed site sits across the street from another potential multimillion-dollar redevelopment at the historically significant Returned Sailors and Soldiers Woollen Mill on Pakington St.

Plans to build the $180m multistorey complex, including 343 dwellings spread out into seven buildings, has previously received backlash from the Geelong and Region Branch National Trust.

They claimed developers were trying to overdevelop the site and intrude on the peaceful area near the Barwon River.