Pentridge Prison redevelopment will create 8000 jobs: report

A REDEVELOPMENT of one of the state’s most notorious prisons will create more than 8000 jobs, according to a new report.

Developer Shayher Group is planning 1200 apartments, a piazza shopping and dining precinct, a hotel and 15-screen cinema on the Coburg site.

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A REDEVELOPMENT of the former Pentridge Prison will create more than 8000 jobs, says a new report.

Developer Shayher Group is planning 1200 apartments, a piazza shopping and dining precinct, a hotel and 15-screen cinema on the Coburg site.

Heritage works worth more than $2 million will include restoration of the six famous guard towers and the A division roof.

More than 6000 jobs will be created through the construction phase and about 1200 in retail and hospitality, according to a report by MacroPlan Dimasi commissioned by the developer.

Various planning permit applications are before Moreland council, the state Planning Department and Heritage Victoria.

The centre of the former prison's 6.7ha site will be opened to the public as a piazza for markets and community events. Picture: Supplied

Shayher Group spokesman Anthony Goh said that Pentridge Coburg was already driving the local economy, with hundreds of construction workers on site for heritage and site works.

“A project of this size brings with it continuous employment and economic opportunity (including) from the direct boost to local economic activity across the retail, hospitality and commercial sectors,” he said.

He said the redevelopment had the potential to turn Coburg into the next inner-city hot spot similar to Brunswick and Fitzroy.

The seven-storey Horizon apartment tower has been built and a permit has been submitted for the 19-level Air Apartments building, which will include three car parking levels.

An artist’s impression of the new development.

Future plans include the 120-unit Adina Apartment Hotel which will have 40-50 fulltime jobs and the Palace Champ St Cinema with 50 jobs, including 20 fulltime.

Palace Cinema CEO Benjamin Zeccola said: “We expect that future film festivals at Palace Champ Street will draw local and international visitors who will be excited to experience a night of cultural entertainment at our cinemas.”

The next stage of the project, including the hotel, cinema and piazza, is due for completion in late 2019.

The old jail will open its gates for the inaugural Pentridge Festival on April 8 and 9, a free community event marking the 20th anniversary of its closure.