Windsor: Ex-Presentation College property on Dandenong Rd for sale, developer interest anticipated

The former Presentation College property on Dandenong Rd, Windsor, which shocked students and families with its closure in 2019, is for sale with an eye-watering price expected.

Founded in 1873, Presentation College closed its doors in 2020. Picture: Sarah Matray.

The former Presentation College site on Dandenong Rd, Windsor, has been listed for sale with a $50m-plus price tag.

An ex-convent and chapel are located at the 1.89ha address that has been owned by the Roman Catholic Presentation Sisters for more than 150 years.

The religious order operated a school at the property, attended by about 700 students, until a decision to shut down due to declining enrolments resulted in its 2020 closure.

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Developers are expected to account for many of the buyers interested in the one-time educational institute.

Its alumni includes journalist Jana Wendt, the late Prisoner star Sheila Florance, Home and Away actor Pia Miller and The Real Housewives of Melbourne’s Lydia Schiavello.

If sold at the expected $50m price, the property would be one of the most expensive real estate transactions in Melbourne so far this year, though well behind the more than $100m sale of former Essendon Football Club president Paul Little’s Toorak home Coonac.

Commercial real estate agency Colliers International director Jozef Dickinson said the former college was close to Windsor train station, which the Victorian government recently announced among its future Train and Tram Zone activity centres.

The government is hoping more than 300,000 new homes will be built in the 60 activity centres across Melbourne, by 2051.

The former school at 187 Dandenong Rd, Windsor, is about 7km to Melbourne’s CBD.

Parents, students and teaching staff gathered at Presentation College when the school announced it would be closing, in 2019. Picture: Sarah Matray.

Gold Logie award-winning journalist Jana Wendt is among Presentation College’s well-known alumni. Picture: Chris Pavlich.

Mr Dickinson said the former school buildings remained in “really great condition”.

“We are expecting strong engagement from buyers, particularly from residential and

retirement and aged-care developers,” he said.

“This is a genuine once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The site is covered by a Stonnington Council heritage overlay and the new owner would likely need to work with heritage consultants to develop it.

After Presentation College closed, Edmund Rice Education Australia signed up to lease the campus so it could be used by the Christian Brothers College (now St Mary’s College).

Sheila Florance (right) in character as Lizzie Birdsworth in the television show Prisoner, with her co-star Betty Bobbitt. Florance attended Presentation College before leaving school at the age of 15 to pursue acting.

Actor, model and television presenter Pia Miller is another former Presentation College pupil. Picture: Kym Smith.

Presentation Sisters Victoria congregation leader, Sister Helen Carboon, said the lease’s end was a contributing factor in her order’s decision to sell the site.

“It is our intention that the proceeds be directed towards initiatives that support women, children and vulnerable communities, including continuing our work in education and community services, reflecting our historical involvement with these important causes,” Sister Carboon said.

The property will be listed for sale this month via expressions of interest, under the name Windsor Hall.

Colliers’ John Marasco and Philip Heberling will manage the listing alongside Jozef Dickinson.

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Originally published as Windsor: Ex-Presentation College property on Dandenong Rd for sale, developer interest anticipated