Shayher Group outline their grand Pentridge Coburg plans
After securing a substantial slice of the former Pentridge Prison during 2013 developer Shayher Group is now poised to push ahead with a masterplanned development covering the 65,000 square metre site.
Dubbed Pentridge Coburg, Shayher Group intend to create 14 new buildings within the bluestone-walled precinct while also dedicating approximately 16,900 square metres to parkland. Coupled with ancillary open space, the overall site area dedicated toward public open space will push toward the 40% mark.
Our vision for Pentridge is to create a vibrant, well-designed urban village that breathes new life into this historical asset, transforming it from one of Australia’s most prominent jails into a new community hub complete with housing, retail, community areas and open public spaces.
Anthony Goh, Shayher Group
Built form within Pentridge Coburg will be guided by the Pentridge Coburg Design Guidelines and Masterplan which will see buildings between 2 and 19 levels created. The development schedule within the document indicates that there will be four precincts within Pentridge Coburg with two precincts capable of handling high-rise development.
Supplementing the numerous expected apartment buildings will be a dedicated retail/dining piazza with Shayher Group's Anthony Goh indicating the developer is contemplating between 20 and 25 outlets.
Heritage retention will also be a key design factor within Pentridge Coburg with all existing historic buildings to be retained for public use throughout the site. Additionally, under the masterplan new buildings will be designed to combine and compliment with the existing heritage structures.
To pay homage to the site’s heritage, the new precinct will host interactive historical displays to retain the site’s character while bringing renewed life to the prison through the careful placement of contemporary architecture to promote liveability and encourage future housing and economic growth.
We will continue to work closely with Heritage Victoria to ensure the practical restoration of old buildings is in line with their history and is undertaken in a manner that will improve their condition and preserve their heritage. We want to celebrate and retain the rich historical elements of Pentridge by creating an authentic place that Melbourne’s arts, community, cultural and small businesses groups want to be associated with.
Anthony Goh, Shayher Group
Shayher Group will also this year oversee the restoration of the former jail’s seven guard towers as part of several years of heritage restoration works and archaeological surveys. Accordingly all buildings identified as significant heritage buildings will be retained and reactivated, including Divisions A, B, E, the former wardens building, the former administration building, prison walls and watch towers.
With NH Architecture responsible for the overall site masterplan, Anthony Goh has indicated that Shayher Group intend to utilise different architecture firms as the roll-out of the precinct proceeds.
Pentridge Coburg's first apartment project designed by PRO-ARK is well into its build with head contractor Construction Engineering delivering Horizon Coburg. Consisting of over 50 apartments split between two buildings, Horizon Coburg which is due for completion late this year is currently supplemented by infrastructure works covering the site which will enable further projects to be delivered.
Shayher Group intend one of those projects to be 21 Pentridge Boulevard. Currently before DELWP, the apartment project consists of one tower spanning 19 levels with another more modest building of 9 levels. The Buchan Group-designed project could yield approximately 220 apartments over a site area of 6,300sqm.
The public release of 21 Pentridge Boulevard will occur following the completion of the planning permit application process, according to Anthony Goh.