Purpose-built Essendon childcare centre offered with vacant possession, ready to trade

A rare, purpose-built childcare facility in one of Melbourne's most tightly held inner-northern suburbs has hit the market, offering owner-operators the chance to occupy and trade from settlement, and investors with an operator already in play the chance to place a tenant in a premium early learning asset.

CBRE's Australian Healthcare & Social Infrastructure team has been appointed to market 1 Melfort Avenue, Essendon for sale via Expressions of Interest. Strategically positioned directly overlooking Strathmore Railway Station, the three-level facility is approved for 124 childcare places and sits on a 688 sqm landholding just eight kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD, offering exceptional visibility and outstanding connectivity.

The property is surrounded by a well-established, affluent and family-oriented community and benefits from proximity to a wide range of reputable schools, medical services, retail precincts and key transport infrastructure, which supports enrolment demand across the surrounding catchment for an incoming operator.

Purpose-built to contemporary childcare standards, the three-storey facility delivers more than 880 sqm of outdoor play area distributed across the upper levels, exceeding minimum regulatory requirements. Ground-floor car parking provides 27 spaces, including an automated car stacker system, offering meaningful operational convenience for families and staff.

Offered with vacant possession and planning approval in place, the asset suits an operator that wants to occupy and begin enrolling immediately, or an investor taking advantage of a tightly held suburb with proven catchment characteristics. Buyers will also benefit from significant stamp duty concessions and attractive depreciation advantages on a purpose-built asset.

Beyond the quality of the facility, the investment is underpinned by strong childcare market fundamentals. Essendon's established family demographic, premium school catchment and undersupply of childcare places across the inner north create favourable long-term operating conditions for incoming providers.

CBRE's Australian Healthcare & Social Infrastructure team anticipates strong interest from owner-operators and established childcare groups looking to occupy, and from private investors and family offices with an operator already in play seeking exposure to a premium, purpose-built asset in one of Melbourne's most sought-after suburban locations.

"1 Melfort Avenue represents a truly rare opportunity to secure a purpose-designed childcare facility in an affluent inner-northern suburb with outstanding fundamentals. Combined with the station-facing position and the strength of the surrounding catchment, that makes for a compelling proposition," said Jimmy Tat, Senior Director, CBRE Australian Healthcare & Social Infrastructure.

The centre is surrounded by key community and lifestyle amenities including Strathmore Railway Station (100m), Strathmore Family Medical Centre (120m), St Vincent de Paul Primary School (330m), Strathmore Secondary College (600m), Cross Keys Reserve (320m), DFO Essendon (2.0km) and Moonee Ponds Central (2.4km). These amenities reinforce the asset's convenience and accessibility for families and its strong long-term operating position.

CBRE Director, Marcello Caspani-Muto said the property's location within Essendon's established inner-northern precinct further strengthened the opportunity.

"This asset sits within one of Melbourne's most coveted and tightly held suburban markets, directly opposite a major commuter hub and surrounded by quality schools, medical services and retail amenities. With vacant possession and planning approval already in place, operators can move quickly to capitalise on the strong and growing demand for quality childcare in this catchment while appealing to investors.