Calling all doctors: New Melbourne strata offices to include ambulance bay

Major developer MAB Corp, run by Financial Review rich listers Andrew and Michael Buxton, has launched an $18 million strata office building in Melbourne’s north targeted at the growing number of medical professionals in the area.

The development, known as 7 Ormond, within its University Hill estate in Bundoora will house 25 offices suitable as medical consulting suites and will have its own ambulance bay.

Andrew White, director of commercial projects at MAB Corp, said the development would be suited to the growing number of medical and professional services in the area.

“In more recent years we’ve seen a high number of medical businesses establishing in the precinct because of its ideal proximity between the Austin and Northern Hospitals,” he said.

MAB Corp has already had success with strata office developments, selling out an $18 million project with 41 suites, also at University Hill.

Another developer, ASX-listed Cedar Woods, recently sold out its 47-unit strata office development at William’s Landing in the city’s west, in another strong sign of demand for office space outside in the suburbs.

The 104-hectare estate, about 17 kilometres north of the Melbourne city centre, is already home to a number of completed apartment developments, as well as a retail centre and premises for 155 businesses.

“When MAB Corp commenced the University Hill project over a decade ago, we established a clear vision in collaboration with the City of Whittlesea to create a place where people can work close to where they live,” Mr White said.

“A strong focus on increasing the level of white collar employment in the local area has brought MAB’s vision of an integrated mixed-use community into a reality,” Mr White said.

The new medical office building will be the sixth office in the precinct. Features include high speed fibre connections, secure car parking, air conditioning, kitchenettes, bicycle parking and shower facilities.

WORDS: Larry Schlesinger

Originally published in The Australian Financial Review on 22 March 2018