Former St Paul’s Home for Boys in Newhaven for sale
After delaying their plans to redevelop the former St Paul’s Home for Boys into a Newhaven five-star hotel, the “devastated” developers are now selling the Phillip Island site for $3.5m. Here’s why.
Bass Coast News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bass Coast News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After months of delaying their plans to redevelop the former St Paul’s Home for Boys, the developers are now selling the well-known Newhaven site.
A five-star hotel was meant to be built on the property by the end of the year but the pandemic caused delays to the project.
New Trend Solutions owner Jeremy Wang told The Bass Coast News the site is up for sale because of the uncertainty of COVID-19.
“The future is not very clear and we don’t know when tourists are coming back and when borders are going to open,” he said.
“We couldn’t afford to wait”.
Mr Wang said there has also been a “few issues” with the current developers.
“Everybody has been arguing,” he said.
The 54-61 Forrest Ave property is a locally significant heritage place which is protected by the Bass Coast Shire’s heritage overlay.
Mr Wang said the heritage overlay was also part of the reason they were selling.
“The design has got a few issues to it,” he said.
“We were going to put an elevator and pool in there but you need a permit … it could take a long time”.
Mr Wang said although there had been arguments among the developers, everyone involved in the project was devastated about selling the site.
“It’s just frustrating,” he said.
“We need someone to invest but at the moment we cannot get anyone with money and confidence to put in”.
The current developers bought the former boys home for $1.65m in 2015 and they are hoping to sell the 14.164sq m site for $3.5m.
The developers have already spent half a million dollars on cleaning up the land, fixing the roof and installing a fence that protects the buildings from vandals.
“The site is absolutely secure and the roof has 10 years warranty,” Mr Wang said.
San Remo resident and former neighbour to the boys home Nicky Hutchinson said she is shocked to see the property for sale.
“I am shocked and saddened that they are selling it,” Ms Hutchinson said.
“It is a worry to think what could happen to it now. Is it just going to sit there vacant and the vandals go in again?”
She hopes the future owners will honour the history of the building.
“I wish someone would buy it and make it something beautiful”.
According to the realestate.com.au description, there is an approval for 21 townhouses.
“You can redevelop the chapel and the property for a luxurious tourist accommodation including restaurants, reception hall, tennis courts, swimming pool and other sporting facilities and shops”.
After the disappointment of the failed five-star hotel, Mr Wang is focusing his efforts into another property he owns in Phillip Island.
MORE NEWS
PHILLIP ISLAND SCHOOLIES IN JEOPARDY
MELBURNIANS CAUSE TRAFFIC JAMS ESCAPING RING OF STEEL