Historic Pentridge Prison is set to become a unique contemporary hotel, where visitors can spend a night in a converted prison cell.

The 120-apartment hotel will be designed by leading practice Cox Architecture, and will blend contemporary architecture with the property’s unique heritage. Cox is well known for its work on sensitive heritage projects, including Hepburn Spa.

A new extension will be constructed on vacant land adjacent to the heritage buildings, and will contain an additional nine levels of accommodation, communal facilities, and six levels of residential apartments.

Developer Shayher Group has announced that TFE Hotels will operate an Adina Apartment Hotel on the site.

Shayher Group spokesperson Anthony Goh said some cells will be retained in their original condition, as a reminder of the building’s historic purpose.

“This hotel will sensitively reopen this historic asset in a way for the entire community to experience and appreciate,” he said.

“In developing these plans, we have taken inspiration from similar projects in the United States and United Kingdom that have readapted jails into beautiful accommodation, paying tribute to the past by repositioning them for the future.”

“We have challenged Cox Architects to deliver a design that sets a benchmark in sensitive and adaptive reuse and breathes new life into this historic asset, returning it to the public,” said Goh.

TFE Hotels CEO Rachel Argaman said, “This site speaks to a rich history and we believe locals and visitors from overseas will be intrigued to learn about Australia’s penal past.”

Early conceptual designs of the hotel are being prepared, and include the prison’s former chapel which has beautiful lead-light windows.

But you'll have to wait until 2020 for your night in the lock-up, when the project is due for completion.

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