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Coburg Neighborhood Developments Advance With New Openings and Site Projects
Hospitality venues and property acquisitions mark recent activity across central and northern areas.
How we reported this
Gemini, a neighborhood bar and pantry at 158 Sydney Road, opened in 2026.
Hospitality Additions at Established Sites
Harper & Sole, a new modern Australian restaurant in the historic Boot Factory at Pentridge Estate, officially opened on November 28, 2025. The Pentridge site in Coburg continues to fill with new retail, dining, and residential spaces, with several heritage buildings still negotiating with hospitality operators for additional dining options. A new Grill’d restaurant is opening soon in Coburg North, with hiring for the team already underway as of October 2025. These additions build on the area's existing mix of venues along key local streets.
Property Acquisitions and Mixed-Use Plans
Coles Group Property Developments acquired a 1.75-hectare retail site at 180-196 Gaffney Street in Coburg for approximately $6 million for a mixed-use project including apartments, offices, and a supermarket-based shopping centre. Ryman Healthcare purchased a 2.56-hectare site at 14-22 Gaffney St in Coburg North for $48.2 million to build a $350 million retirement village with independent living and aged-care facilities. Venus Packaging leased a 4,947 sqm purpose-built warehouse in Coburg North, contributing to full industrial occupancy in the area driven by strong occupier demand. Coburg Hill Shopping Centre, a Woolworths-anchored centre in Coburg, was sold for $21.3 million to a Sydney-based private investor with an overseas partner, with the centre 97% leased and featuring mixed retail and residential use.
Council-Led Revitalisation Framework
Merri-bek City Council released the 'Coburg is Here' concept for central Coburg, featuring a $60 million library and piazza, over 8,000 sqm of new businesses, 2,000 sqm of office space, and around 1,000 new apartments as part of a $150 million revitalisation plan. These elements connect directly to the named streets and sites already seeing private investment.
Further activity will depend on ongoing negotiations for remaining heritage spaces at Pentridge and final leasing outcomes at the newly acquired Gaffney Street locations. Residents can track updates through Merri-bek City Council channels for project timelines.