Colliers International list former Camden High School site

THE former Camden High School site, once maligned as toxic no-go zone, has transformed into the heritage town’s hottest piece of real estate

Colliers International is selling the former Camden High School site, for more than $23 million. Picture: Supplied

THE former Camden High School site, once maligned as a toxic no-go zone, has transformed into the heritage town’s hottest piece of real estate.

Colliers International has listed the 2.66ha John St site for sale for north of $23 million, the price frame putting the cost of each square metre at a cool $9000.

AEH Group purchased the site for $7.5 million in 2007.

An artist's impression of a building at Camden Central Lifestyle Estate.

Colliers International Healthcare Retirement Living’s George Koumoukelis said in a press

release the site was bursting with potential.

“The site presents the opportunity to acquire a seniors’ living, development approved site, in what will be a brand new vibrant community within the Camden town centre, catering for the ever-growing local population and new residents,” Mr Koumoukelis said.

An aerial image of the former Camden High School site.

The site is approved for 15 buildings, including 162 senior’s living apartments, a 76-bed retirement aged care facility, 51-bed motel, medical centre and five commercial suites.

The former Camden High School was demolished last year. Picture: Simon Bullard

The former Camden High School. Picture: Tim Hunter.

AEH Group chief operating officer Michael Rabey said a number of groups recently expressed interest in the site.

“AEH recently market tested the separate portion of the land that sits on the opposite side of the site to the main part of Camden Central, in order to assist fund remediating the land, as was always intended,” he said.

“We had such strong interest from various groups for both this separate block, and the whole site, that the owners could no longer ignore the option of finding a new owner for the whole site to take it forward.

AEH Group chief operating officer Michael Rabey. Picture: Simon Bullard

“AEH maintains its view that the current approved DA provides an optimum use of the site and is committed to the sales process and assisting take the project to completion once the new owners are established.

“People who have reserved units are being updated on the process at this time and can maintain their reserved position in the project whilst expressions of interest are taken on the ownership of the site.”

Another artist's impression inside Camden Central Lifestyle Estate.

Colliers International head of investment services Matthew Meynell said major senior living operators would be well suited as future owners of the site.

“This process will be targeting major national seniors living organisations, who will look to ensure the redevelopment of the site into a sophisticated and vibrant senior living community is realised,” Mr Meynell said.