Construction will soon be underway at Herston Quarter in Brisbane on a five-hectare health precinct designed by Hassell architects.
An operation contract between developer Australian Unity and the Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) has been signed and civil works are expected to commence next month.
Hassell is behind the masterplan of the mixed-use precinct which will incorporate several new health, education, residential and landscape components intertwined with the site’s existing heritage buildings and the neighbouring Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
A specialist rehabilitation and ambulatory care centre, a private hospital, residential aged care, retirement living and student accommodation, childcare, a co-working hub, and education and training facilities are all in the masterplan.
Aerial view of the Herston Quarter Redevelopment. Image: Hassell 
The proposed Specialist Rehabilitation and Ambulatory Care Centre (right) and Private Hospital (left). Image: Hassell
The biggest component will be the brand-new $360 million Specialist Rehabilitation and Ambulatory Care Centre which will provide 35,157sq m of health facilities and will be funded and operated by the MNHHS.
A DIFFERENT TYPE OF HEALTH PRECINT
'Spanish Steps' will divide the Specialist Rehabilitation and Ambulatory Care Centre and Private Hospital. Image: Hassell
Hassell will continue to provide design services to Australian Unity as the development progresses and said in a statement that it is excited to deliver a project which it believes will challenge historical norms about health precinct location and interconnection with the community.
“Herston Quarter is challenging the historical position that these nationally significant economic and social mega-precincts should be isolated from their local context and confined to providing purely health and education services,” says a statement from the firm.
“The quality of the Herston Quarter’s architecture, heritage, public spaces, connections and character combine to make a new piece of the city that invites workers, patients, families and the community to visit, linger and in some cases live,” Hassell principal, Adam Davies explains.
“The architectural intent for the Herston Quarter was very much about celebrating the civic qualities of our city’s public and institutional buildings. It also recognises the importance of creating a place that promotes wellness and recovery through an integrated approach to public realm,” adds fellow Hassell principal, Kevin Lloyd.
The Herston Quarter project will take between five to 10-year to complete and will be delivered in stages.
