The $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital is redefining retail, hospitality and lifestyle experiences at major health and education institutions - and is transforming the local landscape in the process.
Being delivered by the Plenary Health consortium - a public private partnership of Plenary Health, the Victorian state government and Western Health - the enormous hospital is the largest health infrastructure project currently under construction in Victoria. Minister for Health, Mary-Anne Thomas this week announced the hospital will open on Wednesday, 18 February.
Fitzroys’ James Lockwood and Franklin Gikas, together with Mitchell Humphreys of Future Proof, have been managing the leasing campaign for the retail and commercial component of the project.
“Over the past decade there’s been a noticeable shift in expectations for retail, hospitality and lifestyle experiences at major health and education institutions,” Lockwood said.
“People expect higher-quality and broader offerings at hospitals when they’re looking to get a coffee or something to eat, to do some quick shopping, or for complementary health and wellness services.
“We’re seeing genuine momentum building around the Footscray Hospital precinct, which is setting a new precedent for those experiences.”
Operators who have committed to the new Footscray Hospital in deals negotiated by Fitzroys and Future Proof include:
- Continental Hospitality Group, operating the main 700sqm cafe and two satellite kiosks. The family-owned and run business has over 20 years of hospitality experience and has successful current venues at VCCC, Victorian Heart Hospital, Epworth Box Hill and NAB Docklands.
- Popular fast-casual dining offering Schnitz, which specialises in handcrafted schnitzels and has grown to 70 restaurants across Australia.
- Melbourne-based wholesome, fast and flavourful food café concept Zuppa, founded by experienced operators in the hospitality industry.
- Asian Fusion offering Alleyway Kitchen, having established a loyal following for its signature noodle dishes, rice bowls, and dumplings.
- Well-known quick-service Japanese restaurant group Shuji Sushi, which has grown to over 30 locations across Melbourne’s CBD and suburban centres since being established in 2001.
- Social enterprise café Youth Projects, a not-for-profit organisation delivering frontline support for disadvantaged young people.
“Major infrastructure projects like the new Footscray Hospital drive new economic ecosystems. They bring together healthcare, education, residential and retail, and it’s the hospitality sector that often provides the heartbeat for these communities,” Lockwood said.
Gikas said hospitality groups have moved early to secure prime sites, knowing this will be one of Melbourne’s busiest and most vibrant mixed-use destinations over the next decade.
“At Footscray Hospital there’s been huge demand from hospitality operators who recognise the long-term potential of this emerging health and education precinct. Cafés, grab-and-go food, and quality casual dining options are leading the charge.
“Hospitality operators have shifted focus to these health and education facilities as they have guaranteed foot traffic. In this case, they’re catering not just to hospital staff and visitors, but also to the area’s growing residential and student population.
“The CBD used to be the golden egg, however, there are now vibrant alternatives emerging.”
Humphreys said, “The Footscray Hospital is transforming the local landscape, activating the broader Footscray area and redefining how it connects the local community.
“The hospital is creating a 24/7 economy - we’re seeing operators who want to be part of a connected, walkable neighbourhood that supports both the day and night-time economy.
HealthSmart Pharmacy, which operates at Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Alfred Hospital, St Vincent’s, VCCC and Box Hill Hospital, has also a committed to the hospital, while Fitzroys and Future Proof have also negotiated a deal with a local operator that will see a new gym introduced to the precinct, rounding out a true lifestyle offering at what is affectionately known as the “People’s Hospital”.
Situated prominently at the intersection of Geelong Road and Ballarat Road in Melbourne’s inner west, the transformative project will be operated by Western Health and deliver more than 500 inpatient beds, including same-day, multi-day, critical care, sub-acute, drug and alcohol, and mental health services; acute facilities, including an emergency department and mental health and alcohol and other drugs hub specialist facilities; clinical support spaces to cater for patients, visitors, staff and other hospital users; and teaching, training and research spaces.
It is expected to serve nearly 15,000 additional patients annually, with an anticipated attendance of around 20,000 more individuals in the emergency department each year than the preceding hospital. The facility will also see significant growth in mental health beds and an expansion of outpatient, palliative care, and surgical services.
Victoria University is also poised to occupy a 5,000sqm education and research centre designed for health and medicine training, and which will serve as a hub for research and learning in various disciplines, including nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, speech pathology, dietetics, biomedicine, and psychology.
The last available space is a substantial 595sqm tenancy that offers exceptional flexibility for a range of uses including showroom, office, medical or large format retail.
“The space offers a prominent, high-exposure position, making it an excellent opportunity for medical specialists, allied health providers, or wellness services that complement the surrounding healthcare uses,” Lockwood said, adding that the open layout and generous frontage also allow for showroom or brand experience concepts, such as homewares, furniture, or lifestyle operators, and is adaptable for professional office accommodation or service-based businesses.