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- In short: A block of land in Hobart's CBD is up for sale and expected to fetch a large price, despite the hospital on site still being days away from closure
- What's next? An international expressions of interest process will close on July 20
The St Helen's Private Hospital hasn't officially closed yet but already the site has been listed for sale by agents Knight Frank.
The site fronts two major roads — Macquarie and Davey Streets — in one of the most prestigious parts of Hobart's CBD and has more than 6,000 square metres of building on 4,600 square metres of land.
It's been run as a hospital since 1919 but current operators Healthscope decided to close the mental health facility after a capital works assessment found the heritage buildings needed significant upgrades.
The hospital has 31 in-patient mental health beds, a mother and baby unit, and drug and alcohol treatment.
The proposed closure has led to an outcry of concern from current patients and staff, who say there will be nowhere for many mentally ill people to go when the hospital ceases operation on June 23.
Knight Frank agents Scott Newton and Richard Steedman listed the site for sale by an international expressions of interest process on June 13, closing on July 20.
The agents describe the buildings as "highly adaptable [to] suit a multitude of alternative uses" and the site as a "rare opportunity to acquire a substantial healthcare asset with vacant possession".
Because it's being sold by expressions of interest there is no public price tag but a valuation by the Valuer-General in 2022 estimated the land and buildings were worth around $31 million.
John McGregor is president of the southern branch of the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania and would only estimate the price tag at "many, many millions of dollars."
"Without question it is utterly unique," he said.
"Anything that has a heritage listing, the biggest problem is maintenance so that's what anyone who takes it on will have to take into account.
"There have been a lot of development applications for that site but nothing has ever eventuated so it will be interesting to see who buys it, and what they can get approved there."
Mr McGregor said the site was likely to attract interest from international developers.
"I think there'll be a lot of people waiting with bated breath to see what value is being put on Hobart right now," he said.