Aveo to help revitalise former Manly Hospital site with seniors housing, childcare centre

Plans to readapt a former Northern Beaches hospital into a health precinct with seniors housing are a step closer with a retirement village provider’s recent appointment to the project.

A concept design for the former Manly Hospital site which has been dormant for six years.

A vision for a revitalised northern beaches health and wellbeing precinct at the former Manly Hospital site is a step closer with the appointment of a project partner to develop the major masterplan.

Retirement village company Aveo Group has been selected as the partner to deliver the “vibrant, intergenerational health and wellbeing sanctuary” with the state government’s Property and Development NSW.

Subject to approval, the site will be redeveloped into seniors housing – including independent retirement living, affordable housing and a residential aged care facility – through reuse of the heritage buildings.

The precinct also aims to provide open space, a health and wellbeing centre, community and retail spaces and a childcare centre, in alignment with the community’s vision for the site.

First established in 1896, Manly Hospital was closed in 2018 following the relocation of services to the Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest.

Manly Hospital hasn’t been used since 2018.

The reimagined site will remain in government ownership and is part of a state-significant development application.

Lands and Property Minister Steve Kamper said the project was ready to proceed to the development application process.

“We look forward to Aveo’s submission, which will be the next major step in activating the site’s potential to deliver a new reimagined precinct that brings jobs, homes, health and retail to the peninsula,’’ he said.

Aveo chief executive Tony Randello anticipated the delivery of a “best-in-class”, health and wellbeing precinct for the community.

“Through the proposed inclusions of community spaces, health and hospitality services, a

childcare centre, and retirement living, Aveo is excited to welcome the northern beaches

community back to the former Manly Hospital site and restore its significant connection to

the surrounding area.”

Buildings will be readapted into new facilities.

Aveo will work with the government and the community to prepare the development application which will set out proposed plans for the site.

Health Minister Ryan Park welcomed a modern use for the old Manly Hospital.

“When the new Northern Beaches Hospital opened in 2018, it meant the closure of the iconic Manly Hospital, where many locals were born and cared for,’’ he said.

“Our government is finding new complementary uses for the site, which will celebrate the

former Manly Hospital’s past while meeting the evolving needs of the community.”

The application will be lodged with the Planning Department and be subject to community consultation once it is placed on public exhibition.