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Travellers will soon be able to sleep where Australia's infamous 'Chopper' once slept

It was once home to Australia's most notorious criminals, including Mark 'Chopper' Read, but come 2020 and the historic Pentridge Prison will reopen with a much lighter and luxurious-feel.

It was once home to Australia’s most notorious criminals, including Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, but come 2020 and the historic Pentridge Prison will reopen with a much lighter and luxurious-feel.

TFE Hotels is taking the 166-year-old property and transforming it into an accommodation and lifestyle precinct where travellers can literally spend the night under the same roof that sheltered some of the country’s worst offenders.

The dark and gloomy hallways of the prison, which sealed its gates back in 1997, will be converted into a light and relaxing 120-room Adina Apartment Hotel.

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Work on the property located just 8km outside of Melbourne will commence in the coming months and will see TFE blend the property’s distinct heritage with modern architectural design.

According to a spokesperson from developer, the Shayher Group, not all cells will be removed in renovations. In fact, a few will retain their former state to give travellers the chance to inspect cell conditions for years to come.

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

Shayher Group spokesperson

“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.”

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Features of the converted prison will include the installment of high lead-light windows in the existing chapel to accommodate wedding and special functions.

There’ll also be an all-day dining restaurant, day spa, 400 square metres of conference and meeting facilities, an indoor pool and gym and parking.

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TFE Hotels CEO Rachel Argaman said the hotel would mark a significant turning point in preserving the nation’s history and would provide a way for the public to share in its rich stories.

“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.”

Rachel Argaman, TFE Hotels CEO

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“Hotels provide a great way to preserve the history of heritage-listed buildings, allowing unique and memorable experiences for guests who learn and experience aspects of that rich past.”

To compliment the restored prison, a new component will be constructed on vacant land adjacent to the heritage aspect, which is expected to provide nine levels of accommodation, a level for communal facilities and six levels of residential apartments.

Would you be keen to spend a couple of nights at a former prison?