A $7 MILLION mixed-use development in Mildura’s city centre is on track for completion next April, with an anchor tenant locked in and two of the five apartments sold.
The project’s architect, Geoff Sparkes, said that construction on the development, located at the corner of Deakin Avenue and Ninth Street, was “powering along” under builder Dale King’s guidance after delays earlier this year.
“It was a slow start, but we are only one or two weeks behind where we’d ideally like to be now,” Mr Sparkes, of GSD Architects, told Sunraysia Daily this week.
“It’s been a great jobs boost for Mildura during COVID — I was on site inspecting the progress the other day and what struck me is that it’s all local tradesmen working on this project.
“Not only are there about 30 people working on-site, but you have all the external local services who are part of it … (such as) the window manufacturers, the joiners, and others.”
The three-level Garry Davison development will have five luxury apartments on the top floor with city views. Each will have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private balcony and car park.
Selling agent Tony Roccisano, of The Professionals Mildura, said that two had already been snapped up.
The price tag for the remaining apartments is likely to be between $750,000 to $800,000.
Mr Roccisano said there had been “a lot of interest in the apartments”, but that many prospective buyers “want to see how it all looks upon completion” before they invest in property.
“These apartments have a lot of things going for them — they are stylish, well-appointed and in a great location,” he said.
The below floors will have a business, retail and hospitality focus.
Accountants Findex have been secured as the first-floor tenant, while there will be a café-cum-restaurant fronting Deakin Avenue on the ground floor, next to three additional office or shop spaces.
Mr Sparkes said one of the main reasons the development got off the ground was “accountants Findex wanting the whole first level”.
“This really got things going,” Mr Sparkes said.
“Having that anchor tenant for the whole first floor was important for the project to move forward.”
Mr Davison said he was confident of securing a top-class restaurant to operate on the ground floor.
“There’s been a lot of interest in this from businesses in Mildura and out of town,” he said.
The location is the former home of Mr Davison’s Mildura Motor Holdings business.
