By MELISSA MEEHAN
Aspro property headache set for yet another makeover…
HISTORIC Sherbrooke property Burnham Beeches is set to be reborn with a culinary twist.
Well known chef Shannon Bennett and his business partner Adam Garrison have put their submissions into Yarra Ranges Council and hope their application to redevelop the site is successful.
The property’s three storey art deco themed mansion was built for Aspro-brand sales magnate Alfred Nicholas and his family during the 1930s and was one of the first in the area to have its own theatrette.
The property has its own colourful history, even used as a children’s hospital during 1941, became the Nicholas Institute for research, donated to the Shire of Sherbrooke in 1965 and was then sold and operated as a hotel for about a decade in the 1980s.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles even stayed at the heritage listed hotel.
There have been many attempts to redevelop the property but many have abandoned plans.
But the newest owners are set to start works on the property by the end of the year.
Speaking at a recent event at Dandenong Sky High, Mr Bennett said he was excited about his new project and hoped Burnham Beeches would be a place for tourists to come and enjoy all that the Dandenongs have to offer.
“We’re excited about this,” he said.
“It is really going to be a place where people can eat, sleep and play.”
Mr Bennett said the completed redevelopment could bring up to 100 jobs to the area.
Yarra Ranges Council director of Planning, Building and Health Andrew Paxton said the council had been working on the future of the site for quite a while.
He said a couple of attempts to revive the site had been made in the past, and the application presented by the new owners looked promising.
“They want to convert the piggery stables into a café,” Mr Paxton said.
“It would be the first stage of the redevelopment, and we are currently considering this.
“It’s a big exercise.”
Mr Paxton said part owner Shannon Bennett already grew vegetables and truffles on the site for his Melbourne restaurant Vue de Monde and had staff visit the property every day to pick fresh produce.
“They would continue using this produce in the planned casual eatery.”
He said the owners had also made council aware of their future plans for the site, including a redevelopment of the hotel as well as a fine dining restaurant.
“Burnham Beeches has been locked away for a long time,” he said.
“It’s a fabulous estate.”
Plans for the casual eatery include keeping in line with the heritage of the property and will maintain lots of open space for families to enjoy.
It is expected that council offices will consider the application and have a decision in the coming months.
