This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
VICTORIA’S historic Pentridge Prison is set to be transformed into a hotel.
Developer Shayher Group has signed an agreement with TFE Hotels to operate Adina Apartment Hotel.
Designed Cox Architecture, the 120-room hotel will offer guests the chance to stay in a historic converted prison cell.
In addition, a new component will be constructed on vacant land adjacent to the heritage aspects, which is anticipated to provide a further nine levels of accommodation, a level for communal facilities and six levels of residential apartments.
Shayher Group spokesperson Anthony Goh said some cells would be retained in their former condition for people to inspect for years to come.
“This hotel will sensitively reopen this historic asset in a way for the entire community to experience and appreciate,” he said.
“In developing these plans, we have taken inspiration from similar projects in the United States and United Kingdom that have readapted jails into beautiful accommodation, paying tribute to the past by repositioning them for the future.
“We have challenged Cox Architects to deliver a design that sets a benchmark in sensitive and adaptive reuse and breathes new life into this historic asset, returning it to the public,” he added.
TFE Hotels CEO Rachel Argaman said the hotel would mark a significant turning point in preserving the nation’s history and would provide a way for the public to share in its rich stories.
“Hotels provide a great way to preserve the history of heritage-listed buildings, allowing unique and memorable experiences for guests who learn and experience aspects of that rich past,” she added.
The hotel will also include an all-day dining restaurant, day spa, 400 sqm of conference and meeting facilities, an indoor pool and gym and parking.
The hotel is expected to open in 2020, pending planning and heritage permits and construction approvals.
“The hotel remains subject to Shayher Group obtaining the relevant planning and heritage approvals and we will be working closely with the Moreland City Council and Heritage Victoria. We are also working with the community to involve local stakeholders in aspects relating to the transformation of the site, with a recent community open day attracting around 3,000 interested people,” Goh said.
Australian Property Journal
