Latest news with #landmark
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Geelong CBD freehold offers multiple income options
Geelong's emerging laneways could become the key to unlocking the value of a CBD landmark formerly home to Duffs Jewellers. The two-storey freehold is up for grabs with a new expressions of interest campaign to test the market for city centre real estate. Colliers, Geelong agents Jonathon Lumsden, Ned Tansey and Jackson Carrick are handling the sale for 134 Moorabool St, Geelong, with offers closing August 14. Mr Lumsden said price expectations were $2m-plus. The 180sq m ground floor comprises retail and office space, along with amenities and the original strongroom. The first floor has been converted to a luxury four bedroom, three-bathroom apartment, flooded with natural light from an atrium. The property is opposite Geelong's Bright & Hitchcocks building where developer Hamilton Group has started a multimillion dollar redevelopment. 'The owners ran their own business from there – they've closed that office down and are using it for storage themselves while they were running upstairs as their Airbnb,' Mr Lumsden said. 'Since they've got other interests, now is the time to divest.' The building offers the potential for a new owner to create dual income streams, and activate frontages to Moorabool St and Shorts Place at the rear, Mr Lumsden said. 'It also gives someone the potential to reconfigure the ground floor so they could activate a space with direct access of Moorabool St, and then activate a space that's accessed off Shorts Place,' Mr Lumsden said. Geelong developer Bill Votsaris has already unlocked Shorts Place for neighbouring projects, including a 24-hour Anytime Fitness gym. 'I think there's some appeal to that, to create those dual access points. Does that mean someone looks to do something more retail on the Moorabool St frontage and then more hospitality from Shorts Place? 'There's a few different things you can those around and meanwhile you can maintain that Airbnb, whether it's leased out through Airbnb or you put a long-term tenant in there.' Mr Lumsden said one potential buyer had flagged reconfiguring the first floor into commercial office space and then look to activate the retail space on the ground floor. 'You could easily give the ground floor a facelift. That's a pretty simple process.' Interest has been from parties in Geelong and Melbourne, Mr Lumsden said. 'I must say the interest that's coming through are generally parties that we've seen look at other options in the CBD. 'I think people can still see the CBD is going through a bit of adjustment and they can see the investment that other landowners are investing in the CBD. 'Opposite with Cam Hamilton's development and with what Bill Votsaris is doing in Little Malop St, there's good stories to tell within that precinct. 'We got through property cycles, Moorabool St is the main thoroughfare running north-south to Belmont and attracts an enormous amount of traffic and with the property cycle we're going through at the moment where you're not buying at the peak of the market, I believe there's long-term growth to get out of it.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reporter descends tower landmark on live TV
A BBC reporter has become the 50,000th person to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. John Maguire undertook the challenge live on BBC Breakfast earlier, descending 100m (330ft) down the 170m (560ft) landmark. The tower, which marks its 20th anniversary in October, has had more than five million visitors since it opened. As he descended, Maguire told viewers and presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty: "You get the most extraordinary view... I must say it is rather disconcerting." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram. More on this story Watch: 90-year-old woman abseils down 100m tower Watch: Unique drone footage shows tower dive Exercise simulating tower disaster gets underway Related internet links Spinnaker Tower
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Reporter descends Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on live TV
A BBC reporter has become the 50,000th person to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Maguire undertook the challenge live on BBC Breakfast earlier, descending 100m (330ft) down the 170m (560ft) tower, which marks its 20th anniversary in October, has had more than five million visitors since it he descended, Maguire told viewers and presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty: "You get the most extraordinary view... I must say it is rather disconcerting." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
UAE Moments
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
AI-Driven Fountain & Glowing Sphere Is Coming To Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is about to welcome a dazzling new landmark and it's shaping up to be one of the most exciting spots in the city. Mubadala has officially broken ground on the Al Maryah Waterfront enhancement project, a bold transformation of the island's coastline into a chic leisure destination for residents and visitors alike. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! And yes, it comes with a glowing 30-metre sphere, over 1,000 AI-powered water jets, and a musical score by none other than Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi. What's Coming To Al Maryah Waterfront? At the centre of the action will be the luminous sphere, a giant orb that glows dramatically in the bay, surrounded by choreographed fountains shooting up to 75 metres high. Designed by WET, the creative geniuses behind the Dubai Fountain and the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, these AI-driven water jets will dance to light and music, creating a show that's set to wow. But that's not all. The revamped waterfront will also feature: A sea-level boardwalk perfect for sunset strolls. Shaded cooling zones to beat the summer heat. New foodie zones serving up delicious bites. Flexible spaces for public events and gatherings. With cool sea breezes, mesmerising water displays, and plenty of spots to relax and refuel, this project promises to deliver next-level vibes. Why It Matters Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, CEO of UAE Investments at Mubadala, calls the project 'a strategic investment in the future of Al Maryah Island.' He adds: 'This project will deliver iconic elements that elevate the quality of life and offer a diverse experience for visitors, while reinforcing the island's position as a premier lifestyle destination.' When Can You Visit? Construction is already underway, but no official opening date has been announced yet. When it's complete, though, expect Al Maryah Waterfront to be one of Abu Dhabi's most vibrant places to unwind, dine, and enjoy world-class water shows under the stars. Until then, stay tuned... This glowing orb and its AI fountains are worth the wait.
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Family favourite restaurant chain with 800 sites shuts ‘landmark' branch for good in huge blow to locals
A POPULAR restaurant that's become a local landmark has shut for good, leaving nearby residents gutted. The venue at Emersons Green in Bristol, served its last meal on Thursday July 10. 3 3 It's now listed as 'permanently closed' online, with no official signage or farewell notice on the former Beefeater building. However, the neighbouring Premier Inn will remain open with its own integrated breakfast area for hotel guests. Speculation is already circling online about what's next for the site, with some locals suggesting it may be taken over by the Papas Group – the team behind Papas Fish and Chips and Wendy's. Sudden closure A spokesperson for Whitebread Group, which owns Beefeater and Premier Inn, told BristolLive: 'We'd like to thank our wonderful guests and team for their service and custom over the years. 'The nearest Beefeater is now The Gifford (Fox Den Road, Stoke Gifford) and we do hope to welcome people there.' Whitbread added that the site had been sold to another restaurant business, but stopped short of naming which one. The closure comes as part of the company's 'Accelerating Growth Plan', which aims to replace underperforming restaurants with hotel rooms in high-demand areas. Over the next two years, Whitbread plans to exit 126 branded restaurants across the UK, 21 of which are being sold for £28 million . Britain's retail apocalypse: why your favourite stores KEEP closing down As part of the overhaul, the business will also be converting 112 restaurant spaces into integrated dining areas within its Premier Inn hotels – a format already used at 387 sites across the country. The plan is expected to cut around 1,500 roles out of a workforce of 37,000. However, Whitbread says it will try to offer alternative roles to affected staff through redeployment or its wider recruitment process, which sees around 15,000 hires each year. Dominic Paul, Chief Executive Officer of Whitbread, said: 'When I joined Whitbread as CEO in January 2023, it was clear to me that we had a high performing hotels business, with a strong platform for growth in both the UK and Germany. 'Our strategy of continuing to invest in our brand, teams, and estate for the benefit of our guests and customers has secured a market-leading position for Premier "Inn in the UK and is also delivering strong business performance. 'This plan is a further positive step, delivering a better experience for our hotel guests and helping to extend our market leadership in the UK. 'I recognise that these changes will be unsettling for affected team members and we are committed to working hard to enable as many as possible of those affected to stay with Whitbread... Our teams are at the heart of our guest experience.' This latest shutdown adds to a growing list of closures across the UK food scene. Other recent closures Even Nando's has quietly closed a coup. The Sun has approached Beefeater for further comment. Why are retailers closing stores? RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis. High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going. The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year, and more are coming. The number of jobs lost in British retail dropped last year, but 120,000 people still lost their employment, figures have suggested. Figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed that 10,494 shops closed for the last time during 2023, and 119,405 jobs were lost in the sector. It was fewer shops than had been lost for several years, and a reduction from 151,641 jobs lost in 2022. The centre's director, Professor Joshua Bamfield, said the improvement is "less bad" than good. Although there were some big-name losses from the high street, including Wilko, many large companies had already gone bust before 2022, the centre said, such as Topshop owner Arcadia, Jessops and Debenhams. "The cost-of-living crisis, inflation and increases in interest rates have led many consumers to tighten their belts, reducing retail spend," Prof Bamfield said. "Retailers themselves have suffered increasing energy and occupancy costs, staff shortages and falling demand that have made rebuilding profits after extensive store closures during the pandemic exceptionally difficult." Alongside Wilko, which employed around 12,000 people when it collapsed, 2023's biggest failures included Paperchase, Cath Kidston, Planet Organic, Snug and Tile Giant. The Centre for Retail Research said most stores were closed because companies were trying to reorganise and cut costs rather than the business failing. However, experts have warned there will likely be more failures this year as consumers keep their belts tight and borrowing costs soar for businesses. The Body Shop and Ted Baker are the biggest names to have already collapsed into administration this year. 3
