Approval For 19-Storey Project At Pentridge Prison Site

Planning Minister Richard Wynne has approved Shayher Group's application to construct Air Apartments at 21 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg, after changes were made to the proposal.

The approved masterplan outlines a blueprint for a diverse community with various housing styles to appeal to Coburg’s diverse demographic, plus retail and community facilities. Mr Wynne approved developer Shayher Group’s application for two residential buildings of 19 storeys and six storeys in height and an open space area at 21 Pentridge Blvd.

The development will include 190 apartments, 195 car spaces, 109 bicycle spaces and about 1000sq m of public open space.

Mr Wynne told Leader he believed the result was a 'better' outcome for the community as it incorporated more open space, and transformed some one-bedroom apartments into more two or three-bedroom apartments than the previous application.

He also said the approved proposal "put an end" to a hole being cut into the prison’s bluestone wall for a community room window.

Shayher Group project spokesman Anthony Goh said Air Apartments is essential to realising this vision and is placed in an ideal location to enhance the site’s overall liveability.

“The site’s centralised location makes it the perfect spot for an activated centre to enhance residents’ overall liveability, providing the opportunity to introduce new integrated residential, food and retail offerings into the existing area.

“The apartment mix responds to market trends for a diverse and integrated approach to housing types needed in the Coburg area. Its residents will be an important part of the site's future, energising this amazing location for many years to come,” he said.

The building provides parking over three of its levels for residents who were previously lacking car parking space. These 57 car parks are earmarked for the neighbouring existing properties.

The Air Apartments contribute to the approved masterplan for the site, which requires high density to ensure it is economically viable in the long term.

“A site like Pentridge not only requires high density housing to ensure its economic viability in the long term, but it is also suitable for a higher density development due to its close proximity to public transport infrastructure, shops and schools, thereby reducing the number of cars on our roads and encouraging residents to walk to nearby facilities,” Mr Goh said.

Shayher Group said it respects the heritage of the site and is investing more than $2 million through various restoration works, including restoring the iconic guard towers.

The next step to meet this requirement of ensuring the site will be used in a sustainable manner will be the commencement of the retail precinct and Adina Hotel, which will directly contribute to the estimated 8000 jobs generated from the project, according to Shayher Group.