The City of Greater Geelong has shortlisted two potential partners for the redevelopment of
historic Osborne House in North Geelong.

Following an Expressions of Interest process launched last year and a panel evaluation of submissions Gurner TM Nominee Pty Ltd and the Hamilton Group have been selected to progress to the next stage.

The two companies will now work through a two-stage design process before the Council selects a 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.

The matter is targeted for a report to Council for consideration mid-year.

The Council has committed to keeping Osborne House in public ownership and allocated
$10 million over four years towards its restoration and redevelopment.

The EOI called for potential partners willing to invest in a shared vision for the future of 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.

Councillor Eddy Kontelj chair of the Osborne House portfolio 

The shortlisting of potential partners marks 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.

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.

Councillor Anthony Aitken deputy chair of the Osborne House portfolio

The 1858 bluestone building deserves 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.

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 – Cam Hamilton
Managing Director

The Hamilton Group are 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.

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 TM Nominee Pty Ltd – Tim Gurner Founder and Director

We are very excited to be partnering with Dean Montgomery in pitching to join with the City of Greater Geelong in bringing new life to this iconic and important Geelong site.

We are both passionate about heritage buildings and we have been highly influential in
bringing significant Australian heritage precincts back to life.

Our strategic partnership with Dean is aiming 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 – 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.