Today, in collaboration with the National Trust of Victoria, the most notorious parts of Pentridge prison have been restored and are set to open to the public in Spring 2022 – where visitors will be able to tour three 19th century bluestone cell blocks and even sleep in converted cells.
The remainder of this much-hyped redevelopment is being repurposed into premium housing that retains its sense of place, shops and public spaces – there’s even a hotel, cinemas and wine cellar.
And Coburg just keeps getting better. $16 million has been allocated to create a community health and wellness hub on the corner of Bell Street and Pentridge Boulevard. Plans for a new park at Service Street – including sensory and inclusive play spaces, a bush tucker garden, veggie patch and sculpture trail – are all underway.
Coupled with Council’s commitment to creating a green and connected neighbourhood through extensive tree planting and shared pedestrian pathways, it’s easy to see Coburg’s future as a key Melbourne ‘activity centre’ – as identified in the Melbourne 2030 development strategy.
The level of investment and infrastructure to come in 3058 respects the past and embraces its future – cementing Coburg’s place as the North side’s most coveted destination.
