As a third-generation commercial property firm in Geelong, Hamilton Group specialises in the renovation and adaptive use of existing buildings to provide long term tenancy solutions. Under the leadership of Cameron Hamilton, the company manages around 25 different properties, housing over 100 organisations and nearly 2,000 employees in the Greater Geelong region. Hamilton Group’s origins trace back to the early 1990s, driven by necessity. Cameron Hamilton’s father, David and a couple of mates ran a flooring business in the 80’s and 90’s out of an old wool store. As the business grew into furniture and expanded so did the need to utilize the underused upper levels of the building. David Hamilton embraced this challenge, embarking on a renovation that included adding a new façade. During the process, he discovered not only a passion for this type of work but also a profound appreciation for the historic value of these older buildings. He realized that the true worth of these structures lay in exposing their original features rather than concealing them. Recognising the need for alternative solutions, he rallied likeminded businesses to explore shared tenancy options. In 1995, he seized the opportunity to purchase an old wool store, with intent to provide entry level office space with a focus on price, and a more conventional offering (think suspended ceilings, plaster walls and carpet tiles), ultimately converting it into smaller, flexible spaces. This innovative approach not only solved his immediate office space issues but also laid the foundation for what would become Hamilton Group. Geelong, once an industrial and manufacturing hub, was home to numerous wool and paper mills dating back to the late 1800s. Cameron reflects, “As the city transitioned from its manufacturing roots to a more diverse economy with a growing number of white-collar workers, many of these historic buildings became underutilized. My father saw the potential in these structures, recognizing THE CONSTRUCTION SOURCE AUSTRALIA
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