$500M University of Melbourne Bid Awarded to Lendlease

A consortium led by Lendlease has secured a contract to transform and operate the former site of the Royal Women’s Hospital into a 62,000-square-metre ‘innovation precinct’.

The consortium includes Spotless as the facilities manager; and Urbanest, which will own and operate the 528-bed student accommodation in the hub.

75 percent of the commercial space will be occupied by the University of Melbourne, leaving 10,500sq m for lease. The remainder of this space is expected to be filled with start-up offices, retail spaces, and the new Melbourne Science Gallery.

The precinct, situated within the Parkville National Employment and Innovation Cluster, will contribute to Melbourne’s growing reputation as a centre for science and technology.

Early works begin this month and, pending planning approval, construction will commence next year, finishing in 2020. The consortium has won the rights to operate the project for 42 years.