Melbourne Psychiatric Hospital to become Strata Development

In a strange twist the site of the Larundel Phsyciatric Hospital in Bundoora has been earmarked by the Victorian Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, as a significant urban renewal site for a major mixed-use precinct on 10.6 hectares,

The redevelopment will provide more than 500 apartment and townhouse dwellings as well as nearly 12,000 square metres of retail and commercial space and is “an ideal site for urban renewal, only 16km from Melbourne city, well-served by public transport and close to La Trobe University and Bundoora Park,” Mr Guy said.

After the Larundel Hospital closed in the 1990’s it was purchased by the Victorian government who gradually developed parts of it with local builders to create over 200 homes.  Now Deal Corp has purchased the remaining 10 hectares of the site for the development of a mixed use precinct including a local activity centre combining retail, service and commercial activities with a wide variety of medium density housing options. The former hospital buildings will be retained for their local heritage value and re-used as part of the project.

Mr Guy’s fellow MLC for Northern Metropolitan Region Craig Ondarchie said the development would provide an increased diversity of affordable housing supply in Melbourne’s north while restoring and celebrating the local heritage.

And, given the decay of the old hospital buildings shown in these photos this can only be a good development.

So who wants a new apartment in the old psychiatric hospital?

Francesco …