French St. Geelong West

1/1 French Street, Geelong West — Completed Project

We acquired the unit at 1/1 French Street, Geelong West, as a high-potential renovation opportunity in one of Victoria's most tightly held and sought-after inner suburbs. Superbly positioned between the iconic Pakington Street precinct and the Shannon Avenue strip, the location alone signalled the opportunity. A well-renovated property here commands immediate attention from a deep and motivated buyer pool. What began as a potential BRRRR strategy quickly became a clear case for a flip, as the strength of the Geelong West market made the path to a profitable sale the most compelling option.

Why Geelong West?

Geelong West is a suburb that consistently outperforms expectations. It remains one of the region's most tightly held lifestyle suburbs, supported by strong buyer interest, with Pakington Street's café strip, boutique shops and access to the CBD making it a popular choice for buyers and renters seeking walkability and strong community appeal. The fundamentals are equally compelling: Geelong West boasts the highest unit yield among inner Geelong areas at 4.8%, driven largely by tenants seeking the vibrant culture of Pakington Street. Looking further ahead, PropTrack data forecasts the Geelong West median house price to more than double over the next decade, from below $1 million to $2.276 million, placing it firmly among the best positioned suburbs in Victoria for long-term capital growth. This is the kind of market where a well-executed renovation doesn't just add value. It delivers it immediately.

Projected Outcome

The project is complete and the property has been sold. Following a full renovation featuring all-new interiors, appliances, joinery, flooring, heating and cooling, the unit was delivered as a modern, move-in-ready home that stood out sharply in its price bracket. The result was a significant jump in value, achieving top market rates for the Geelong West unit segment and delivering a strong return on investment. At Charlie Property, this project is a clear example of what happens when the right strategy meets the right market, and Geelong West proved to be exactly that.