Neighbours object to notorious Regal boarding house upgrade plans

It was one of St Kilda’s worst rooming houses, infamous for violence, dodgy dealings, filthy rooms and lack of security. Then an MP promised to clean it up and turn it into a refuge for abused women — but now that plan has hit a snag.

Plans to revamp the notorious Regal boarding house were once hailed as a “win/win” by neighbours but now it appears they’ve hit a snag. Picture: Penny Stephens

Plans to clean up a gritty rooming house in St Kilda — once awash with dodgy dealings and sketchy characters — have hit a snag.

The Regal was shut down after the Leader revealed assaults, drugs use and lewd behaviour had spiralled out of control at the site.

More than 200 incidents had been recorded in a huge dossier compiled by neighbours, which detailed the extent of crime and unsavoury behaviour stemming from the Little Grey St flophouse.

Announcing its closure in March last year, Housing Minister and Albert Park state Labor MP Martin Foley said the 49-room Regal, which has shared kitchen, lounge, dining, bathroom and laundry facilities, would be transformed into 36 self-contained units for disadvantaged women over 55 — the fastest-growing group of people in need of social housing.

But neighbours have lodged objections to the proposal amid concerns for noise, anti-social behaviour and overlooking.

Drug use and violence spiralled out of control at the Regal following the closure of the Gatwick Hotel. Picture: Penny Stephens

A former Regal resident allegedly threatened to "squirt blood" on a passerby while injecting herself in the ankle.

Many have also called for an on-site manager to make sure residents behave.

“The key concern raised by objectors was the potential for anti-social behaviour and general disturbances at the site,” a council officer’s report states.

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Concerns about the potential for residents to gather on the balconies overlooking nearby homes to smoke were also raised.

HousingFirst, which manages the site, has vowed to implement a suite of measures to “minimise disturbances”, including setting up a complaints hotline for neighbours and stationing security at Regal to ward off criminal activity.

The council report states the building “could be converted … without unreasonable adverse impact on the amenity of the adjoining and adjacent properties”.

The proposal is set to be determined at a Port Phillip Council meeting tonight.