Previously a Salvation Army-owned conference and church centre, the venue has been transformed into a diverse mid-century modern luxury retreat for guests.
For those seeking a decent night’s rest when exploring the beautiful Geelong region, there’s now one more option to consider with the launch of Geelong’s newest four-star hotel in Eastern Park, Eden Oak.
Officially unveiled in June, Eden Oak marks a new era for the Geelong Conference Centre, following a visionary transformation by Melbourne property developer, BEKL, defined by mid-century luxury and glamour.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Nestled in the lush green environs of Geelong’s Botanic Gardens, the beloved Geelong landmark was designed in 1981 by McGlashan Everist and first opened as the Victorian Department of Education’s residential headquarters in 1985.
The 1.6-hectare site – acquired in 2020 by BEKL – has been repositioned from the previously Salvation Army-owned conference and church centre, to a diverse mid-century modern luxury retreat for guests.
Under BEKL’s careful guidance, the destination has been contemporised and is now open for guests to enjoy the luxury accommodation and event spaces – and it is truly luxe!
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Seeking to enhance the inherent charm of the building’s structure and surrounds, BEKL engaged contemporary Melbourne interior architects Mitchell & Eades, to apply their global expertise to create a timeless aesthetic that both celebrates the site’s past and sets the scene for a vibrant renaissance.
The venue’s recent facelift has elevated the lobby, accommodation, and function spaces to exude a fresh and light feel with mid-century style elements throughout the retreat. The original internal roof timber and roof lighting fixtures have all been retained, with new flooring and bar concept installed as part of the renovation.
Katherine Liu, Managing Director of BEKL, said that the vision for Eden Oak was to provide a space that gives back to the local community and businesses by offering an alluring space to bring events and economic stimulus to the area.
“BEKL is pleased to open the doors of Eden Oak; we have been able to elevate what was already attractive to us about the property and leverage those elements to create a warm and elevated experience for guests,” says Ms Liu.
“Eden Oak’s rich history is well known throughout the community. It is a joy to celebrate the property’s nostalgia, while bringing it into the modern era through the recent renovations.
“In its new iteration, Eden Oak offers a whole range of opportunities to the community across many different demographics. From interstate & local tourists looking for an escape, to schooling and corporate groups seeking event spaces, to hosting large weddings, there is something for everyone at Eden Oak.”
The upgrades to facilities include six large event spaces and well as the new restaurant and bar, which BEKL obtained a liquor license. The bar will be open to the public, as well as guests, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings further adding to Geelong’s bustling food and drink scene.
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Prompted by the growing appeal of ‘microcations’, Eden Oak marks BEKL’s first foray into regional developments in Australia, having established a reputation for developing spaces that encourage people to indulge in their zest for life while connecting with the local community.
BEKL’s projects include Voco South Melbourne, a mixed-use 20-storey property, and Masonic Residence, a beautiful heritage-listed building transformed into 86-room student accommodation.
Already enquiry is strong with a steady flow of guests already booking their stays, and BEKL has robust plans to activate the site with a sustained calendar of events, working with local providores and suppliers, along with events, tourism and hospitality partners.
In this spirit, BEKL is currently in talks to bring a comedy festival to Geelong in the second half of 2022 which in our humble opinion will be phenomenal to our region.
Eden Oak is officially rated 4.5 stars and holds just over 46 guest rooms, with prices starting from $149 for a standard room for two adults. The six function spaces range from two large function spaces, both holding up to 200 people each, down to more intimate 50 people workshop studios and rooms.
Rooms are available for booking online through the Eden Oak website, as well as other online sites such as booking.com, Expedia and QANTAS hotels.
You can find out more here.
