Hassell create AU$450m mixed-use healthcare destination in Perth

The Australian Minister for Health and Mental Health, the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson, has opened mixed-use and healthcare destination Murdoch Square, designed by Tenderstream member Hassell. Spanning 1.2ha, the AU$450 million development in Perth is home to Western Australia’s first purpose-built Medihotel and Courtyard by Marriott hotel, a private hospital, aged-care facility, childcare centre and a range of commercial and retail outlets that support those living and working in the precinct. As the first stage in a broader health and knowledge district development, Murdoch Square leans into a growing shift for transforming specialised healthcare precincts into inclusive community hubs.

Hassell focused on putting people at the heart of the concept, collaborating closely with clients Hesperia and Aegis Health to challenge established planning guidelines and unlock the full potential of the site. The design team advocated for a development strategy that embeds the project within the wider urban fabric and introduces a vibrant public plaza at the precinct’s core. With mature trees and native planting, it provides a place for people to meet, to connect, or simply to find respite away from the demands of work.

The complex project integrates diverse building types, services, and public and private healthcare providers, requiring a broad spectrum of design expertise across healthcare, residential, commercial and hospitality design. With a bridge link to Fiona Stanley Hospital, the hotel will play a vital role for patients who are transitioning from acute services to home, reducing demands on the hospital system.

Hesperia managing director Ben Lisle explained that the opening culminated eight years of complex planning and construction to align with the State’s current and future healthcare needs, stating: “The integration of five buildings into a single construction phase makes Murdoch Square one of the most complex projects undertaken in Perth in the past decade. The result is a world-class development and destination for Western Australia...The complexity and many other challenges we faced and overcame along the way, including the Covid-19 period, showcases the collective, incredible efforts of many.”

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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