The focus on specialist healthcare assets, and the differentiated investment exposure they offer, that characterises the Barwon Institutional Healthcare Property Fund is exemplified by its recent commitment to partner with Calvary Health Care to redevelop the Calvary John James Hospital in the Canberra suburb of Deakin.
The partnership will see the delivery of a contemporary Calvary John James Hospital as the centrepiece of a modern healthcare precinct and innovation hub. Barwon estimates an investment of $500m into the precinct, with plans to transform the area into a vibrant, state-of-the-art health, education and research ecosystem.
The proposed redevelopment will establish a new benchmark for healthcare infrastructure in the region, anchored by a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary surgical hospital planned in collaboration with Calvary.
The new building will accommodate the hospital, and will include:
- 98 beds including maternity, special care nursery and adult intensive care
- ten cutting-edge operating theatres with endoscopy facilities accommodated
- ten pre-operative holding bays
- stage one/two/three recovery bays (beds and chairs)
- Central Sterilising Services Department (CSSD).
- access to a privately tenanted on-site radiology practice.
- rehabilitation gymnasium.
Barwon Investment Partners and Calvary Health Care expect the hospital redevelopment to ensure Calvary John James Hospital continues to support staff in providing quality surgical and medical services, as well as maintaining delivery of the only private maternity unit and only purpose-built private rehabilitation unit in Canberra.
Barwon has completed a master-planning exercise for the Calvary John James Hospital site to create opportunities for an integrated health ecosystem to include life sciences, clinical trials, education and training, research facilities, specialist services and other healthcare-related activities.
“This project represents a transformative investment in the ACT’s healthcare landscape,” said Head of Healthcare Property at Barwon Investment Partners, Tom Patrick.
“We have completely re-imagined the blueprint for the entire site to deliver critical infrastructure that improves access to essential services and fosters innovation, collaboration and growth. This precinct will truly set a benchmark for healthcare precincts across Australia.”
Barwon will also redevelop the existing Beaver Galleries at 81 Denison St into a new childcare facility adjoining the Calvary John James Hospital.
Located on the south-west corner of the hospital campus, and only one minute’s walk from the hospital, the 98-place childcare centre will be operated by Insight Early Learning, a national operator with 11 centres across five states. Construction for the childcare centre is expected to commence this year
The firm’s focus on healthcare real estate provides a differentiated offering to investors seeking exposure to an area of the property asset class with highly defensive characteristics; Barwon’s specialist knowledge, experience and expertise in identifying assets of the quality of the Calvary John James Hospital redevelopment allows it to offer its investors even more tightly honed diversification in assets with high natural barriers to entry, longer weighted average lease expiries (WALEs), higher income, and reduced tenant turnover risk.
“Calvary has a proud history in the ACT, and we have operated this hospital since 2006. We are excited to partner with Barwon Investment Partners to bring to life a private hospital that will meet the health needs of the growing community and provide an environment where our visiting medical officers, nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff can thrive,” said Calvary Health Care National Chief Executive Officer, Martin Bowles.
“This proposed development will replace ageing infrastructure that supports modern models of healthcare, and the transformation of the campus into a healthcare precinct will attract specialist services, clinical trials, research, education and training opportunities to benefit the broader community.”
Pending approvals, construction is expected to begin Q1 2026.
Barwon Investment Partners, a leader in alternative investment management, manages circa. $2.2 billion in Australian healthcare property assets, offering three specialised funds: the Barwon Healthcare Property Fund, the Barwon Institutional Healthcare Property Fund, and the Barwon Disability Accommodation Fund.
Across all its funds, Barwon Investment Partners manages more than $3.2 billion.
ENDS
Barwon media enquiries contact: Mekala Shanker, 0402 897 339 or email mekala.shanker@barwon.net.au
Calvary Media Enquiries Contact: Melissa Chain, 0448 220 929 or email melissa.chain@calvarycare.org.au
Leasing Enquiries: Zac Paulic, 0405 538 613 or email zac.paulic@barwon.net.au