De Luca Corp to start conversion of 110-year-old Sisters of Mercy Convent into a childcare centre

Work will begin in February on the controversial conversion of a 110-year-old convent in Brisbane’s inner north into a childcare centre.

Work will start in February on the conversion of a heritage-listed former Catholic convent in Brisbane’s inner north into a childcare centre within a new masterplanned community.

The De Luca Corporation recently settled on the $3.2m purchase of the former 110-year-old Sisters of Mercy Convent at 22 Morris St, Wooloowin.

The 559sq m two-storey Spanish mission style building has been a feature of the local community for decades and De Luca Corp managing director Nic De Luca said they were thrilled to add the heritage-listed building to their property and childcare business portfolio.

“Preserving the heritage of this building, while also providing valuable service to the community, is a win-win for everyone and aligns strongly with our corporate vision,” he said.

The building will become a 110-place childcare centre with an additional single-storey wing that will be added at the rear of the existing building. Carparking will be provided for 22 cars and children’s play areas will be predominantly to the rear of the building.

An artist's impression of the former Sisters of Mercy Convent building in Wooloowin as a childcare centre.

Perth-based developer Cedar Woods purchased the 3.8ha Sisters of Mercy site in 2015 for $27m and put the 2559sq m site containing convent building on the market in 2020 through Colliers International’s Nick Wedge and Hunter Higgins.

The childcare centre site is adjoined by Holy Cross Catholic Parish Church and Holy Cross Catholic Primary School. Cedar Woods will develop units and townhouses on the balance of the 3.8ha site which also included Cross Laundry until it was moved to Banyo in 2014. The project has been mired in court appeals and delays.

Mr Wedge said the convent had a community zoning which indicated a childcare centre future.

“We got a lot on interest from childcare developers because it ticked all the boxes,” he said.

“While yields have softened a bit because of the interest rate environment, childcare centres still have one of the sharpest around and they remain popular with investors.”

Mr Higgins said it took time for the sale to settle because of the work that needed to be done on the site.

“It’s a perfect time for a childcare centre in the area and De Luca is the perfect entity to create a really quality product,” he said.