Grimshaw Architects has been appointed architect for the first phase of the transformation of the Twelve Apostles tourism precinct on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.
Working with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, the firm will design a new vistor centre, amphitheatre at Twelve Apostles and the replacement of the viewing platform, as well a lookout and safer beach access at Gibson Steps, improved walking trails and a weather protection pod that will shield visitors from the elements at Loch Ard Gorge.
The redevelopment is part of the Geelong City Deal – a $500 million, 10-year partnership between the federal and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.
Of that money, $108.15 million will go towards redeveloping and protect the Twelve Apostles, the Shipwreck Coast and the Great Ocean Road as distinctive environmental and cultural tourism destinations.
The Twelve Apostles precinct projects are part of the wider Shipwreck Coast masterplan by McGregor Coxall and Denton Corker Marshall. The masterplan covers a 28 kilometre stretch of Great Ocean Road between Princetown and the Bay of Islands with a total of 72 projects.
Grimshaw was appointed after responding to a 2019 expressions of interest process for a design lead and consortium
State Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said, “Appointing Grimshaw to work with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation is an exciting next step towards making the Twelve Apostles and the Shipwreck Coast an amazing world-class tourism destination that also protects and preserves the environment for generations to come.”
Concept designs for the coastal works projects by Grimshaw will be released for public comment later in 2022.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
