Major redevelopment to enhance Frankston City’s growing profile
Published on 24 December 2021
Frankston’s CBD will undergo a major transformation as part of the Bayside Shopping Centre redevelopment.
Frankston City Council Mayor Nathan Conroy said the Vicinity Centres’ (Vicinity) project at 12 Balmoral Walk will transform Bayside into a diverse mixed-use precinct, adding it will enable 210 jobs and more than $50 million of value add to the economy during construction.
It is also anticipated that the redevelopment will bring more than 1,400 local jobs to the Frankston CBD on completion.
Mayor Conroy thanked Vicinity for its confidence in Frankston, adding that data shows a growing number of people want to live and invest in the municipality.
“The Vicinity project reaffirms that investors are catching on to Frankston City’s remarkable potential. Frankston City is open for appropriate development, which will encourage more people to live, work, shop and play locally.
“Council is poised to build Frankston’s future through advancing impressive, City shaping projects, which will supercharge our economy by creating jobs, housing, workplaces and infrastructure for the community,” Mayor Conroy said.
On top of the private investments, Council’s 2021-22 Budget includes a $64.89 million infrastructure spend.
Vicinity’s Chief Development Officer, Carolyn Viney, said: “12 Balmoral Walk is the first step in the transformation of Bayside and forms part of the evolution of Frankston’s business district, offering a new workplace solution boasting the hyper convenience of direct transport links to the greater metropolitan Melbourne area, on-site parking and enjoying the vibrancy of the Bayside retail and entertainment precinct on its doorstep.
“The ‘work near home’ model is gaining momentum as people long for the connection missing while working from home but without the commute time. 12 Balmoral Walk is perfectly located to provide the ‘work near home’ model for employers and employees looking for the best in work-life balance.”
Located adjacent to Bayside, 12 Balmoral Walk will include approximately 14,000 sq m metres of A-Grade office space spread over eight storeys, supported by new ground floor retailer and hospitality spaces. It is strategically located with convenient access for the region’s 400,000 workers.
Designed by Lyons Architecture with current and future employment trends in mind, 12 Balmoral Walk will feature large campus-style floor plates complemented by an external terrace space with bay views, accommodating close to 1,400 full-time workers.
Ms Viney said: “With hotel-inspired design and amenities, combined with a modern, campus-style floor plate that encourages co-working, 12 Balmoral Walk will set a new benchmark for commercial office space in the south east while allowing office workers, retailers and consumers to realise the benefits of an integrated mixed-use development.”
Frankston was nominated as a Metropolitan Activity Centre in the Victorian Government’s Plan Melbourne 2017 to 2050, and Vicinity’s investment in 12 Balmoral Walk represents the beginning of a pipeline of development investment at Bayside that will provide opportunities for a diverse range of jobs and activities in the region.
Construction of 12 Balmoral Walk will commence immediately on a suitable leasing pre-commitment being secured.
North West Ward Cr Kris Bolam noted that Council offers an extensive range of business supports including a free Business Concierge service to guide and assist new and existing business operators through the process of starting or expanding in Frankston City.
Cr Bolam added that the business community has done it hard due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and that’s why Council is offering a range of initiatives and supports including $200,000 to establish a new Frankston Business and Industry Chamber, $120,000 for the Invest Frankston After Dark Activation Grants to boost the Frankston City night economy and a streamlined online process for Council planning applications.