Pratt Family Offload Prominent Hawthorn Development Site

THE Pratt family’s investment vehicle, Thorney Holdings, has decided against redeveloping Hawthorn’s derelict California Hotel.

Run for 20 years by the Alex Waislitz, the son-in-law of the late Richard Pratt (pictured, right), the intensely private company purchased the 7799 square metre site at 138 Barkers Road (pictured, far right) in 2007.

In 2009, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal approved a proposal which would see the 82-room hotel demolished and replaced with a $42 million 87-unit residential apartment complex rising five levels.

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