End of an era as Presentation Sisters sell historic convent, school
The Presentation Sisters have sold an inner city Melbourne convent and school held more than 150 years.
The 1.89 hectare Windsor holding, until recently accommodating Presentation College, will be replaced with housing following a deal with Pace Development Group.
Several historic buildings including an imposing c1873 abbey will be retained.
Pace is speculated to be paying about $40 million.
The deal comes 11 months since we reported German association Club Tivoli sold its long-time nearby Prahran base permit-ready for a six-level apartment building.
Colliers’ Jozef Dickinson and Philip Heberling brokered that deal.
The agents, with John Marasco, also marketed the Presentation Sisters site.
End of an era
Officially the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Roman Catholic religious order was founded in Ireland in 1775 (continues below).
Presentation College alumni include journalist Jana Wendt and late actress Sheila Florence, best known for playing Lizzy Birdworth for the full run of Prisoner, between 1979-1984.
The school ceased operating in 2020, after which the property was temporarily leased to Edmund Rice Education for St Mary’s College, whose main campus is across the road in St Kilda East.
The site was marketed for its straightforward development upside with high exposure to Hornby Street and Somerset Place and an access point at Elm Place.
It is also near Windsor station, identified under the state government’s Train and Tram Zone Activity Centre planning program.
At the time of listing, Sister Helen Carboon PBVM, Congregational Leader of Presentation Sisters Victoria, said proceeds would be directed toward other education and community service initiatives.
Windsor is about five kilometres south east of the CBD.
Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.
