Today marked a significant milestone for Wollongong's evolving landscape, as MMJ Real Estate proudly witnessed the official commencement ceremony for The Globe project, situated at the iconic former David Jones site on Crown Street. MMJ Real Estate, having played a pivotal role in the town planning and advisory stages of the development, was delighted to participate in celebrating this transformative initiative.
The Globe, a $230 million redevelopment, promises to reshape the heart of Wollongong through the introduction of a modern six-storey City Diggers Club, an innovative eight-storey commercial tower, and a luxurious 14-storey five-star hotel complex.
The ceremony attracted key local figures including Wollongong City Council Lord Mayor Tania Brown and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully. Mayor Brown eloquently highlighted the site's historical significance and its promising future, reminiscing about her first job at the original David Jones and expressing excitement about the opportunities The Globe would bring to future generations.
Minister Paul Scully underscored the importance of urban renewal and spoke of The Globe as essential to Wollongong's ongoing evolution. He articulated the vision of the site as a place that would foster new memories and rejuvenate the city's bustling heart.
As advocates of progressive urban development, MMJ Real Estate takes great pride in its advisory contributions to a project that addresses critical needs such as local employment opportunities and essential accommodation shortages. With Illawarra increasingly attracting major events and festivals, The Globe’s hotel complex is a timely and necessary addition to support this burgeoning tourism and events sector.
The project will unfold in three stages, with completion of the first two phases—City Diggers Club and the commercial office buildings—anticipated by mid-2028. The final phase will deliver the much-needed hotel accommodation, directly aligning with NSW government's wider strategy to expand hotel capacity across the state.
Today's ceremony was not just the start of construction, but the beginning of a new chapter in Wollongong’s vibrant growth story, one that MMJ Real Estate is honoured to help shape.