coburg1

Future Estate to launch new Coburg development

Market Insights
8 years ago
5 minutes

Signifying the rebirth of one of Melbourne’s most significant regeneration sites, developer, Future Estate has today revealed plans for its first residential building within the grounds of the former Pentridge Prison, soon to be known as Coburg Quarter.

Committed to the respectful integration of the site’s unique history, Future Estate says its first residential offering, One Coburg Quarter has been designed to encompass just eight levels in order to blend in with the surrounding urban fabric.

Innovative in its approach, the building has been designed by award-winning architecture and interior design practice, Rothelowman and is set to include an extensively landscaped courtyard and ‘living lobby’ that will be surrounded by communal and garden spaces, as well as resident amenity including a shared bar and rooftop terrace.

The site’s famous bluestone walls surrounding the building will be almost entirely retained, restored and celebrated within the precinct. The heritage fabric of the walls will be integrated into a modern context finished with a contemporary treatment.

As part of the developer’s progressive plans, Future Estate are investigating potential uses for the former D Division prison block with its substantial heritage features and have already commissioned the transformation of the heritage laundry building into a micro-brewery, bar and eatery, with architects Techne incorporating key heritage features including the bluestone walls, solitary confinement cells and historic laundry equipment into the design.

The brewery will be headed up by Danial Caneva, owner of the nearby Post Office Hotel, with the launch date currently slated for later this year.

Since acquiring the 4.2ha site in 2015, Future Estate has pledged its long-term commitment to the precinct and in restoring key heritage elements within the site through its devotion to the creation of a thriving masterplan with open civic spaces, a new eat street and a community and retail hub.

Future Estate Founder and Managing Director, Ben Anderson said he was aware of the negative community sentiment surrounding the site’s failed regeneration history and underwhelming development progress, but said he was committed to delivering on these broken promises and seeing Coburg Quarter become a new destination for Melbourne’s north.

“ We understand the community is frustrated, which is why we believe actions speak louder than words. We have already commissioned the transformation the old laundry building into a micro-brewery and bar, with work commencing on this and the proposed Coburg Public Square within the coming months.

“ Our plan is to have the café and dining precinct open and operational before the end of 2016.

“ We know the local home-buyer market want a variety of house typologies that are tailored to suit their needs, so our future residential offerings will include architecturally designed low-rise town homes and apartment buildings that focus on larger-than-average internal spaces with a dedication to luxury amenity and architectural excellence.

“ Drawing inspiration from the iconic boroughs of New York and London, our vision for Coburg Quarter is to create a new urban community with soul, creativity and a genuine sense of neighbourly spirit; we believe One Coburg Quarter will be the catalyst for this.”

“ Working closely with existing residents and the local community we hope to create one of Melbourne’s most desirable pockets in the inner-north, with world-class residential choices that cater specifically to the local market and a diverse typology that delivers the amenity and quality that owner-occupiers desire.

“ Through the launch of Coburg Quarter we want to create a best-practice example of prison conversions that will stand alongside the best in the world. Coburg residents are passionate with regard to the heritage of this site so we want to be respectful of this and deliver something the residents can be proud of for years to come,” he said.

According to urban planning and economic consultants, MacroPlan Dimasi, Future Estate’s master plan has undergone extensive population, growth and community usage modelling in order to tailor the vision for the precinct to the specific needs of the local community.

“ Based on expected increasing residential demand similar to Brunswick, MacroPlan has projected a supply and demand gap in Coburg of at least 245 dwellings per year over the next five years. This strongly reflects Future Estate’s critical future role in supporting the sustainable growth of Coburg, and will be supported by up to 50 retail and commercial enterprises and significant community open space,” said Head of National Operations/General Manager Victoria, David Brown.

“ MacroPlan modelling indicates that Coburg Quarter will significantly enhance employment opportunities within Coburg and the inner north-west, producing more than 4,700 jobs over the during the construction phase and providing a significant increase in follow-on employment opportunities through the integration of retail and commercial spaces into the community hub.

“ Future Estate is committed to delivering an integrated, sustainable development with strong connections to public transport, exceptional walkability and an engaged and activated retail and commercial core. MacroPlan’s Community Benefit Analysis reveals significant economic, environmental and social benefits resulting from Coburg Quarter including a net economic benefit of $184.7 million and an induced estimated construction benefit of $476 million to the local economy.

One Coburg Quarter is currently in the final stages of planning with a public launch expected in March this year.

The site’s masterplan received approval from the State Government and Council late last year. 

To find out more about Future Estate's current project, Botanic at Parc Vue, click here.