Bayside charm revived by Balmoral Quay investment
The bayside charm of Rippleside has been revived with completion of Balmoral Quay’s final luxury townhomes and the renewal of St Helens Beach. It represents the culmination of a nine-year commitment to transforming the abandoned 2.7-hectare Rippleside Shipyard into Geelong’s most luxurious waterside address.
The recent renewal of St Helens Beach was part of an $8 million investment into Rippleside’s public foreshore by Balmoral Quay. Like the development’s rejuvenation of neighbouring Rippleside Beach in 2017, St Helens Beach has been replenished with an impressive 7,500 cubic meters (equivalent to 400 truckloads) of pristine golden sand.
A stunning waterfront promenade now links the two beaches and beyond to Geelong’s expanding restaurant and entertainment precinct. The historic Rippleside pier was also refurbished in 2018 to install the state-of-the-art Balmoral Quay floating marina as the community’s centrepiece.
The community includes 78 townhomes and 23 apartments, with only twelve townhomes left to sell. Completion of stages three and four provides the last opportunity to secure a new 2-, 3- or 4-bedroom townhome, now selling from $1,825,000 to $3,950,000.
The sophisticated design includes entertainer’s kitchen flowing to open plan living and expansive terraces, finished with granite bench tops, Smeg appliances, quality cabinetry and engineered timber floors. A palette of fresh whites and warm earthy tones reflects the seaside location, with some boasting rooftop terraces with water views and internal lifts.
Many front the new 3,200 square meter landscaped park that has repurposed previously barren land into a tranquil outdoor space for Balmoral Quay residents, enhancing the view towards the adjoining St Helens foreshore and Corio Bay.
Balmoral Quay forms part of the changing face of Geelong’s waterfront and is an exampler of the region’s urban growth strategy, favouring infill renewal near established jobs, services, and public transport. It occupies an exceptional location right at the water's edge, surrounded by parks and beaches on both sides and within walking distance of the city.
Throughout the 1920s, this area was a popular destination for locals to relax under the sun. Over time, the northern end of Geelong’s waterfront lay disconnected and under-utilised for decades. Now, the Rippleside foreshore has been reimagined for a new generation, improving liveability and enhancing its visitor appeal.
The Victorian Government also invested $500,000 towards the foreshore renewal project in 2016, assisted by City of Greater Geelong’s contribution of $250,000 in 2023, as part of a joint commitment to enhancing the growing reputation of the city’s waterfront precinct. At completion the public amenity will be managed by the City of Greater Geelong.
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Quotes attributed to Balmoral Quay development director Theo Axarlis:
"It's incredibly fulfilling to witness the realisation of our years of dedication to creating the perfect bay lifestyle. Our residents have a distinctive vantage point to truly savour the waterfront, enjoying a laid-back bayside lifestyle while also being connected to the increasingly vibrant city centre.
When we commenced in 2015, the site had sat baron for decades and our plans for luxury waterfront living were called ambitious, but our vision for Geelong as an exclusive lifestyle location is a reality today, reinforced by development of Geelong’s waterfront into a world-class entertainment and dining precinct.
As Geelong’s only absolute waterfront living, Balmoral Quay is in a league of its own and a sight to behold.”
Quotes attributed to McGrath Geelong Principal Jim Cross:
“Having been involved in selling all four stages, I am so pleased to see the masterplan come to fruition and purchasers settling into their dream homes. As Geelong’s only community directly fronting Corio Bay, without a road between, Balmoral Quay is a rare find.
We are now selling the final twelve townhomes and excited to be able to offer inspections by appointment. They represent the last chance to purchase a newly completed townhome at this location.
Balmoral Quay’s distinctively designed residences and transformed Rippleside foreshore have raised the living standards and contributed to increased property values in the area.”