Despite residents being unhappy with the sale of the Berrima Gaol, the real estate agents from Colliers are excited to see what the site will be transformed into.
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Colliers was involved in the $7 million sale of the jail to the Blue Sox Group (BSG), which was announced on May 18.
"We are excited to see how this will attract more tourism to a town that is already highly regarded in the Southern Highlands," said Colliers' associate director of investment services Nick Estephen.
According to a statement from the BSG about the development, the former correctional centre would be transformed into a cultural hub that respected the site's heritage and historical significance.
"Our vision is to create a useful and unique space that will become a favourite meeting place for locals and a must-see attraction for local and interstate travellers passing through or visiting the Southern Highlands region," it said.
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"This vision may best be achieved through the inclusion of boutique style hotel accommodation, restaurants/cafe, event space, community engagement activity areas and spaces catering for small business opportunities..."
The gaol was announced for sale on October 18, 2021 via an expressions of interest (EOI) campaign, which closed on November 26, 2021.
Colliers Sydney West, South West and national director of investment services Frank Oliveri said there was a great deal of interest in the property during this period.
"The response from the market during the EOI was positive and very competitive towards achieving the great outcome for the correctional centre," he said.
"We received enormous amounts of enquiry from around Australia with a record number of inspections and interest from every sector," said commercial real estate agent Thomas Mosca.
The BSG statement said the project was in its early stages but the community would be consulted in the process.
It also stated that maintaining the gaol's heritage was a top priority.
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