New Life Sentences
The Age
Saturday August 16, 2003
The transformation of Pentridge Prison begins this week with the first stage of marketing for the new "Pentridge Piazza".
Architect Luciano Crema and local resident Harry Barbon apparently found inspiration for the project from the northern Italian city of Treviso, famous for its medieval walls.
The project will retain the bluestone walls and look-out turrets of the old prison and eventually include apartments, townhouses and a European-style piazza.
Opponents of gentrification will no doubt grumble as Melbourne's most infamous prison becomes a mecca for young professionals with Vespas and shoulder bags.
The idea of a piazza with a weekend market in the middle of the old Pentridge exercise yard is likely to put any self-respecting crim on the straight and narrow.
The developers are considering a sanctification ceremony to mark the transformation from prison to residential resort, with construction due to begin in October.
email: akeenan@theage.com.au
© 2003 The Age