Larundel’s $500m transformation from psychiatric hospital to modern residential hub

LARUNDEL’S heavily vandalised buildings and rumoured paranormal activity have loomed large in the imaginations of Bundoora residents.

Deal Corp managing director David Kobritz with Larundel heritage buildings which were part of the former mental asylum which will be developed into apartment blocks.

LARUNDEL’S heavily vandalised buildings and rumoured ghosts have loomed large in the imaginations of Bundoora residents since its closure in the 1990s.

But the former psychiatric hospital’s transformation into a $500 million housing and shopping centre development — Polaris — is well under way as developer DealCorp ushers in a new era for the 10 ha site on Plenty Rd.

It has not always been smooth sailing for DealCorp, which within months of buying the site was contending with the global financial crisis and has spent a million dollars trying to keep out firebugs, vandals and thrillseekers hoping to substantiate rumours of paranormal activity.

Vandalism at Larundel.

Firebugs and vandals targeted Larundel buildings.

But these obstacles have only made success sweeter for DealCorp manager David Kobritz, whose vision to create the “Carlton of the north” is showing early signs of success with 100 per cent of the first two stages (64 shop-top apartments and 68 townhouses respectively) sold and a buzzing town centre with 25 shops of which all but one are leased.

“Polaris means the brightest star in the northern sky.” David Kobritz

Deal Corp managing director David Kobritz with Larundel heritage buildings.

“We think we’re something new in the northern suburbs, hopefully to enjoy a different quality to what the northern suburbs has traditionally seen, Mr Kobritz said.”

Situated beside La Trobe University, DealCorp is aiming for a village atmosphere with the development, which within seven years is expected to have about 1100 townhouses and apartments (with blocks up to six storeys) and 33 speciality shops.

Other additions may include a gym, medical, childcare or aged care centre.

After purchasing the site from the State Government in 2008, DealCorp negotiated with Darebin Council as to which of the original red brick buildings should be retained for their heritage value. It was agreed that five — deemed significant for their symmetrical layout as much as their architecture — would stay.

Four will become apartments while the council turned the last into a community centre.

The rest of the hospital will either be demolished or was lost to fire before DealCorp bought the site, Mr Kobritz said.

DealCorp wanted to pay tribute to the heritage without going over the top, he said.

“I think the exciting part of this overall project will be the heritage buildings will be celebrated, but at the same time there are very modern buildings built next to it,” Mr Kobritz said.

“So you’ve got this dynamic of the old and the new and 1000-odd dwellings which will make this area a very lively diverse place to live and shop and eat.” - David Kobritz

The Polaris development will include a mix of Larundel’s Heritage buildings with modern features.

While the heritage buildings will no doubt attract interest from buyers, they have also long attracted
another kind of visitor.

For years vandals and thrillseekers have broken in to prowl through the heavily graffitied buildings, searching for evidence to substantiate those persistent ghost rumours, set fires, or just have a peek.

A quick Google search reveals videos uploaded to YouTube showing people on “ghost tours” of the former hospital and chat sites where people swap stories of paranormal encounters.

Trespassers have also created a headache for local fire authorities.

MFB Northern District acting assistant chief Guy McRorie said the site posed such a threat it had developed a special plan to deal with a major fire.

Trespassers and vandals are a major issue at the Larundel site.

“Kids do get in there and do light fires,” Mr McRorie said.

“We’ve had several fires over the years … there’s only been small fires in there so far but it’s got the potential to be a large fire.”

The former hospital also posed a safety risk for trespassers.

The MFB have rescued two people who fell through the second floor.

“If someone falls through the floor or climbs into the roof there is the potential for death or serious injury,” Mr McRorie said.

A big fire on site would present a significant risk to firefighters due to the presence of asbestos and lack of firefighting equipment on site, he said.

But DealCorp could only do so much, he said.

“They do have security patrols and they did put a fence up but people climb the fence,” he said.

Darebin councillor Tim Laurence said he drove past the site every few weeks and often worried it would one day go up in a ball of flames.

“It’s nerve-racking — the council has a brand-new community centre … right near these five buildings in a state of decay. The sooner they’re restored the better,” Cr Laurence said.

Mr Kobritz said securing the buildings had been a constant battle.

But he was optimistic that as people moved in the problem would diminish.

“We are continuing with nightly security patrols, day time permanent on-site security and management, heritage buildings are made safe, hoarded and security fencing maintained,” David Kobritz.

“We will shortly clear the Plenty Rd frontage of most vegetation so the site and existing buildings will be clearly visible from the main road,” he said.

“This altogether is an ongoing expensive procedure to ensure the safety and integrity of the Polaris community so it can move on from the past.”