The Interlude, in Pentridge’s billion-dollar lifestyle precinct, is the world’s first urban wellness retreat set in a converted prison. Many might know this hotel from its former life as B Division at the HM Prison Pentridge once home to some of Australia’s most infamous inmates including Bushranger Ned Kelly. Today, the site looks very different and the centrepiece of any stay at The Interlude is an extraordinary cloistered swimming pool.
“The Interlude is an urban retreat-style experience, the likes of which has never-before-been-seen in Australia, and one of around 40 prison hotel conversions in the world,” TFE Hotels’ Group Chief Operating Officer, Chris Sedgwick said. “Guests stay in converted-cell suites which have been transformed by modern design and architecture into calming spaces.
“And, when they’re not in their room, they’ll be able to immerse themselves in the flavours, colours, and stories of Coburg’s creative arts community through curated programs, or self-guided visits to the precinct’s onsite art gallery which displays resident and emerging local artists.”
Pentridge Throws Off The Shackles of the Past
The Interlude shares a footprint in Pentridge’s former B Division with several anchor tenants including Olivine wine bar, North & Common bistro, Chapter Place event space and a 106-room modern Adina Hotel.
Not Your Average Wine Bar
Pentridge’s former heritage cells have been transformed into an elegant and refined wine bar complete with a walk-in cellar door, intimate booths, and stellar wine list. Modern and sophisticated, Olivine seats 100 guests and features a wine list of more than 500 labels from local and international producers that has been curated by one of Australia’s most exciting sommeliers, Wine Curator, Liinaa Berry.
“Our wine list is called the Book of Wine,” Liinaa said. “It has been curated to give context and narrative to wine, whilst watercolour illustrations (by local artist, Elizabeth Nicholls) add punctuation to the text.”
Liinaa and her team of sommeliers promise to guide patrons through the extraordinary wine list at Olivine.
Pentridge Mess Hall Reimagined for Modern Day Dining
With interiors by leading design firm, CHADA and Chef Mark Glenn spearheading a produce-driven menus and a Chef’s Hat just 5 weeks into operations, North & Common is set to become a new northside neighbourhood favourite. The restaurant’s welcoming interiors showcasing original bluestone walls and 10-metre-high truss roof, complete with restored cross timbers – a modern day reimagining of the prison’s former mess hall.
Boasting an impressive resume including the likes of Cumulus Inc, Dinner by Heston, and most recently Pialligo Estate & Smokehouse’s hatted Pavilion Restaurant, Mark is excited to return home to Melbourne and lead the kitchen at North & Common and sister venue, Olivine.
“Neighbourhood restaurants are the beating heart of a close-knit community – they’re free of pretension and welcoming for everyone – and that’s what we’ll be bringing to Melbourne’s north,” Mark said. “In that respect, our menu is approachable and will showcase simple, yet thoughtful dishes, highlighting outstanding local suppliers and the quality of their produce.”
A New Chapter for a Melbourne Landmark
A tranquil Reflection Garden bordered by 170-year-old Bluestone walls; a former cell block framed beautifully by ten-metre-high arched ceilings and aptly named ‘The Long Hall’; and a converted chapel with stunning arched leadlight windows are just three of nine on-site venues that have been repurposed for modern day events and conferencing at the redeveloped Pentridge Prison site.
“Chapter Place’s event spaces are striking by design,” says Senior Director of Sales, Shahnaz Bakhshay. “But it’s the versatility and uniqueness of each of the venues that is really resonating with our clients.”
“Quite simply there is nothing like this in Australia right now.”
Venue General Manager, Jesse Kornoff, is no stranger to the events industry having run the multi-award winning conferencing retreats and weddings venue at Mt Lofty House and Sequoia Lodge in South Australia.
“Chapter Place, with Executive Chef Jordan Monkhouse at the helm, is a destination for unconventional conventions and extraordinary events,” says Kornoff of the transformation which has seen the historic Pentridge site reinvent itself as a dining and events destination.
“This is a place where the modern architecture and design reflects the provenance and history of the site,” says Jesse. “We also don’t shy away from what the site was,” he says in reference to Chapter Place’s ‘The Real Underbelly’ conferencing experience, led by one of Pentridge’s original prison guards. “But we also celebrate the fact it has been transformed into a beautiful destination that Australians can enjoy for the next 100 plus years.”
Where Old Meets New
The contemporary Adina Pentridge Melbourne tower took almost two years to construct with builders carefully monitoring Pentridge’s famous bluestone walls to ensure they didn’t move an inch as the three-level basement was built. The modern tower features built-in solar panels and a rainwater tank recycling system.
Each of the Adina’s 106 one and two-bedroom and studio apartments offer generous living spaces and kitchen amenities and boast individual climate control and balconies. Whilst mini bars feature local suppliers including Coburg’s own Koko Black, alongside Tyrrell’s chips, Mountain Goat Beers, Hepburn Water and Taltarni Pyrenees Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Interlude / Adina Pentridge Melbourne / Olivine / North & Common / Chapter Place
1 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg
P: (03) 9100 9100
W: https://theinterlude.com.au/