Medicos gearing up for construction of $120m North Star medical

After two years on the drawing board, Queensland developer Trilogy is preparing for construction of a $120 million medical research facility in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, with the aim of bolstering cutting-edge medical research in the state.

Trilogy, a partnership established in 2021 by Vincent Yu and Shawn Wang, the owners of medical tourism company QLM Health Management, has collaborated with nephrologist Dr Alan Parnham to bring the project to fruition.

The 10-level development, known as the North Star Medical Centre of Excellence, will be anchored by the Gold Coast Transitional Care Centre (GCTCC) which is chaired by Parnham, director at the nearby Gold Coast Private Hospital’s dialysis unit and a specialist medical practitioner on the Gold Coast since 1998.

The project will also include accommodation facilities of between 80 to 120 beds that can be used as out-of-hospital overnight beds, with GCTCC to partner with an undisclosed “major hotel” operator to manage the facilities.

In addition to transitional care, the accommodation will also be used as emergency lodgings for locum and emergency health professionals, which GCTCC says will “go a long way to support temporary healthcare needs and improve patient care out-comes”

GCTCC is a private sector-led healthcare initiative founded by medical experts in the Gold Coast region, with the aim of enhancing healthcare capacity and supporting medical advancements.

North Star Medical Centre of Excellence will join world-renowned research centres within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, such as Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics and the Menzies Health Institute Queensland.

GCTCC says the North Star facility will significantly boost medical and health research capabilities in the region, fostering a collaborative environment for the development of cutting-edge healthcare solutions.

“The North Star Medical Centre of Excellence represents a pivotal investment in our healthcare infrastructure,” says Parnham.

“We are committed to creating a supportive environment where medical professionals can thrive.

“The North Star Medical Centre of Excellence facility will play a crucial role in the educational development of future healthcare professionals by offering practical training and placement opportunities for students.”

North Star is to be built on a vacant 2,554sqm site at 16 Nexus Way, Southport, adjacent to The Smith Collective – a mixed-use development that was initially built for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as the athletes’ village.

UBS Real Estate Nominees Australia last week announced plans for 878 build-to-rent apartments adjacent to The Smith Collective on a Queensland Government-owned site which is expected to accommodate 1,350 residents next door to the Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University.

Construction of this project is expected to begin next year, which aligns with Trilogy’s proposed timing of the North Star project.

Gold Coast-based MG Group Project Management has been appointed by Trilogy to oversee the delivery of North Star when construction starts next year.

“The North Star Medical Centre of Excellence project is a purpose-built medical facility designed to provide a modern and efficient environment for medical services, research activities and patient care,” says Matthew Grbcic, founder and managing director of MG Group.

“Its advanced facilities ensure that it meets the highest standards of healthcare delivery and innovation.”

GCTCC says North Star will be a unique development within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct as it is being pur-pose-built to offer versatile room usage that will provide short-term, interim care and emergency accommodation.

“This approach ensures that immediate and critical needs are met, offering flexible, temporary housing options that complement the more permanent facilities proposed for the precinct,” it says.

“The accommodation facilities are also specifically designed to meet the needs of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct partners, providing flexible solutions for out-of-hospital and overnight stays.”

GCTCC plans to partner with a hotel operator to manage the accommodation component of the development, as well as food and beverage services.

The rooms will serve as transitional care spaces, emergency accommodations for patients’ families, and overnight lodgings for visiting healthcare professionals.

“Our investment in the North Star Medical Centre of Excellence shows our strong commitment to solving healthcare challenges

right here in our region,” says Parnham.

“This facility isn’t just about healthcare; it’s about creating stable, long-term jobs in healthcare, research and support services, helping to strengthen our local economy and benefit our community.

“Designed by and for health professionals, this centre aims to attract Queensland’s top talent in medicine, science and research, offering state-of-the-art facilities for both clinical work and groundbreaking medical research.”