Manly’s Royal Far West redevelopment set to be about half residential

Around half of the oceanfront redevelopment site at Manly’s Royal Far West children’s facility could be for over-55s residential living, as it’s revealed what the other likely possibilities are for the remainder of the site.

An outside shot of the beachfront side to Royal Far West prior to redevelopment.

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Around half of Royal Far West’s new oceanfront site will be residential, the health service for country kids has confirmed.

CEO Lindsay Cane said the oceanfront was the obvious choice for residential development and they were considering independent leasehold units for the over 55s.

It comes as RFW — a not-for-profit organisation offering health and education services for children from rural areas— announced phase two of its multimillion-dollar redevelopment last week, with the commissioning of internationally renowned architect Glenn Murcutt.

The main entrance at Royal Far West at Manly. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

Murcutt will be instructed to create a “landmark” building as a gift to Manly.

Other possibilities for the other half of the 15,000 sqm site could be “high integrity” restaurants, a health centre, childcare centre and even a 24-hour triage centre for the people of Manly, as well as additional facilities for country kids.

Lindsay Cane. Picture: supplied

“Everything we do on the site is about how can it add value to RFW,” Ms Cane said.

“We need a strong financial model — we need these strong assets to fund the future.

“We are not corporate developers. We are a charity. We are not developing it to make a profit, we are driven by purpose and mission.”

Angelo Candalepas, Glenn Murcutt and Lindsay Cane. Picture: James McIntyre

Ms Cane said while the medical facility was asset rich, RFW was not wealthy and she struggled to raise the $15 million a year needed to keep the operation afloat.

She said the demand for health services for country children with complex needs, including learning difficulties, autism, behaviour issues and things like speech problems, was increasing.

Ms Cane said one aspect of the redevelopment was to try and connect better with the community and encourage people to volunteer and help raise funds.

“Whatever is located on the site, it will be part of the RFW campus concept and the people there will be part of this micro community,” Ms Cane said.

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For example she hoped that if they have over 55s residential accommodation they might like to volunteer by reading to the children or helping out in other ways.

She also said the redevelopment could revitalise South Steyne and bring in more jobs and money to Manly.