A new hospital underpins the surge of development within Essendon Fields
The next step in the evolution of Essendon Fields will come by way of an expansive, new private hospital which shapes as the precinct's largest project thus far.
Joint owners Beck Corporation and Linfox Group have initiated an Expression of Interest campaign that is asking for prospective hospital operators to partner with the duo in order to deliver the new facility. Set on vacant land adjacent to the Tullamarine Freeway, Essendon Fields Private Hospital will be built over stages, with the first stage expected to open during 2019.
Once a preferred operator has been announced, most likely by this October, a Major Development Plan for the hospital will be devised.
The hospital will bolster the growing number of people which work in the precinct. Currently 5,000 people work within Essendon Fields across a range of industries, with forecasts suggesting as many as 14,000 additional jobs will be be created over time.
PwC is acting as the project's commercial and financial advisor whilst Billard Leece Partnership has been installed as the design lead.
Indicative designs for the facility see a sprawling complex with three buildings to be constructed over varying stages. 300 beds are envisaged for the hospital, with other services such as chemo, pathology and radiology catered for. Car parking for the development will be both at ground and within a multi level facility.
Given the size of the site in question, extensive greenery will also be created in and around each building.
The arrival of Essendon Fields Private Hospital follows on from the increased amount of development currently on the go within the precinct. The much publicised $60 million Hyatt Place development is at level five, with builders Hamilton Marino on track to deliver the 166 suite hotel by early 2017.
Adjoining Hyatt Place the Australian Events Centre is due to open during November, providing 1,700sqm of premium, column-free event space. Further, FOURSQ are in the fitout stage of completing 6 English Street which will see 4,650sqm of premium office space added whilst a $20 million redevelopment of the Terminal building will see 3,000sqm of additional office space created.
Meanwhile, Construction Engineering is engaged in building a $10 million, seven storey building that will house the iFly Indoor Skydiving centre along the precinct's western perimeter.