Featured Project

Moonee Ponds, Victoria

A heritage-listed 1973 residence and its Edna Walling garden, transformed into a 91-place early learning centre – 100% occupancy with a full waitlist on opening.

Street view of the childcare centre with entry signage, parking spaces and landscaped frontage.
Capacity
91 place
Early learning centre
Occupancy
100%
Full waitlist on opening
Net yield
5.29%
On sale in 2019
Heritage residence
1973
Architect HJ Wagstaff
Project Overview

Heritage does
not have to mean
history.

MPG were engaged by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to provide a full turnkey solution, including securing a high quality long-term tenant, obtaining the necessary planning permits, and managing the builder tender and construction process. The development involved the conversion of the Club’s heritage-listed CEO residence, turning it into a flagship early childhood education facility that balances heritage sensitivity with modern functionality.

The site’s unique heritage attributes included the former Club Secretary’s House, designed in 1973 by architect HJ Wagstaff, showcasing Art Deco and Modern influences, and complemented by a mature garden originally crafted by the renowned landscape designer Edna Walling. Given its significance, the property was subject to rigorous external paint and tree controls, and required careful navigation of the heritage constraints to obtain the necessary planning approvals for demolition, new construction, and additional built form to support the childcare use.

The Challenge

A heritage-listed residence – a 1973 HJ Wagstaff home in an Edna Walling garden – is a constrained canvas. The Moonee Valley Racing Club needed it to become a modern, high-end childcare centre without losing the heritage that defined it.

The Approach

MPG delivered a full turnkey solution property search, a sensitive conversion and extension, centre design and design management, and project administration. The planning permit was secured by navigating the heritage constraints, and a long-term lease was locked in with a premium early learning operator.

The Outcome

A 91-place centre that opened to 100% occupancy and a full waitlist, and sold in 2019 on a 5.29% net yield – a model for sensitive, high-quality heritage development. The project not only preserved the historic character of the site but enhanced its legacy through an adaptive reuse that supports the needs of the local community.

Project Gallery
Street view of the childcare centre entrance with parking area, signage and surrounding landscaping.
Outdoor play area with lawn, sandpit, play structure and surrounding childcare buildings.
Children's learning space with activity tables, large windows and views to the outdoor play area.
Outdoor playground with climbing structure, slide, seating and mature tree.
Aerial view of the childcare centre site showing surrounding streets, landscaping and adjacent buildings.
Courtyard entrance with landscaped play area, paved pathways and two-storey childcare building.
Outdoor learning terrace with children's tables, activity station, planter boxes and glazed building façade.
Children's learning room with low seating, activity tables, shelving and large windows overlooking an outdoor area.

MPG Services Provided

Strategic Property Acquisitions & Analytics → Childcare Centre Design & Design Management → Development Management → Project Administration →
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A heritage constraint can
be an asset.

At Moonee Ponds, a heritage-listed residence became a 91-place centre that opened full and later sold on a 5.29% net yield. If you are holding a constrained or heritage site, we will model what it could become before you write it off.

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