Plans for $272m Parramatta Biomedical Facility Go Public

Plans are in the works for a major gene technologies building at Parramatta as biomedical research and investment across Australia ramps up. 

The Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) wants to redevelop its site at 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, in Sydney’s west with the $272.4-million proposal. 

Those plans are on exhibition via the State Significant Development pathway.

The development of the Gene Technologies Building would upgrade the institute within the wider Westmead Hospital Precinct across two phases. 

The first includes the construction of an eight-storey research and development building with wet labs, dry workspaces and stores. 

The second phase comprises a 10-storey building for labs, logistics and communal space as well as a discovery centre. 

The Gene Technologies Building, designed by Hassell, would be “a major enabler” of gene therapy and precision medicine, the application said, supporting the creation of about 500 jobs. 

The CMRI buildings were previously redeveloped after a staged process in 2009, which was completed in 2014.

▲ A rendering of the Gene Technologies Building at Westmead.

However, CMRI’s research activities had grown further, the planning report said, requiring much more floor space in addition to the existing Stage-1 tower.

The project would allow CMRI to expand its focuses on embryology, neurobiology, cancer and gene therapy research for paediatric patients. 

CMRI said it had R&D programs in the works “poised to deliver major advances in biomedical technologies that will transform healthcare delivery” but that it was at a “critical juncture” and needed laboratory floor space. 

The original CMRI building, which would be demolished to make way for the new project, was built in 1992 and would remain operational during construction. 

The Gene Technologies Building sits within the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) and Westmead Health Precinct, 2km north-west of the Parramatta CBD and 21km north-west of the Sydney CBD. 

▲ A rendering of the proposed Hassell-designed research building.

CMRI leases the site from the Health Administration Corporation on a 50-year lease that is due for renewal in June of 2042 for an additional 50 years.

It is co-located with major medical research and clinical services buildings, including Westmead Hospital, the Westmead Institute for Medical Research and the site of the future Paediatric Services Building as well as the new KIDSPARK, part of a $619-million redevelopment of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

It is also near the Kids Research building, where the proposed Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility would be located. 

Life sciences have proven a major investment area of interest for the Federal Government, which has signalled its intention to make Australia a global leader in life sciences.  

Developers and institutes have followed its lead, with the likes of Kurraba Group launching its $490-million Alexandria Health and Innovation Hub and developers considering office-to-lab conversions.