Hesperia confirmed as preferred developer for Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct

LandCorp’s Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct (MHKP) has taken a significant step forward, with Hesperia this month announced as the preferred proponent for the first stage of the development, within the Murdoch Activity Centre about 12 kilometres south of Perth.
Stage one at MHKP includes 175 apartments, 10,000 square metres of commercial and retail space, a 150-bed aged care facility and Western Australia’s first medihotel.
Aegis Aged Care Group has been named as the owner and operator of the proposed aged care facility and 60-room medihotel, which is designed to cater for patients recovering from hospital treatment and will provide support for neighbouring Fiona Stanley and St John of God hospitals.
Hesperia director Kyle Jeavons said the 1.2-hectare MHKP site allowed for facilities to be masterplanned in such a way that buildings could be positioned to maximise open space, active community areas and vibrant street frontages.
“The most exciting part of the development is the ability to showcase a new approach to density and transit-oriented development in Western Australia,” Mr Jeavons said.
“The significant size of the site and its proximity to significant employment and service centres at the nearby major hospitals and educational institutions has enabled an innovative approach to what can be located on the site.
“The overall MHKP will turn what is currently vacant land into a hub for health and education, and transform the Murdoch train and bus interchange from one of the busiest public transport origin points into a destination in itself. The short walk to the train and bus station will make this a very appealing place to live and work because of its great connections with the rest of Perth.
Mr Jeavons said the integration of the MHKP design across a substantial land area had allowed for considerable public open space to be included within the development.
“The provision of generous public spaces and hospitality will ensure the development precinct becomes a cultural hub and meeting place for the entire Murdoch community,” he said.
“The ground plane of the precinct will provide significant retail and hospitality opportunities, which will ensure the precinct becomes an incredibly exciting place to live, work and entertain.”
When announcing the project in 2016, Lands Minister Terry Redman said LandCorp hoped to bring together medical research and associated commercial activities, consulting suites, clinics, community health and medical research facilities, education services and other complementary industries at MHKP.
“The precinct is adjacent to Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch University, South Metropolitan TAFE and the Murdoch train and bus interchange,” he said.
“Given its proximity to world-class hospitals and education institutions, the precinct will provide a dynamic, collaborative environment for research and development across both sectors.”
Stage one construction at MHKP is set to begin in late 2018, with the majority of construction targeting completion by 2021 ahead of people living and working at MHKP by 2022.