The Crown will be releasing a Request for Proposals in respect of a unique cafe and retail opportunity for an operator to establish and operate a cafe (with other possible associated opportunities) within some or all of the Available Space within the new inpatient building presently under construction at the RHH known as K-Block, with the intent that the cafe be first open to the public at the time K-Block first opens, currently anticipated to be in late 2019 or early 2020.
The main ground gloor level of the RHH is approximately one storey above footpath level at Campbell Street. The new cafe and retail space that comprises the Available Space will be located on this level, at the Campbell Street end of the building. The Available Space in total comprises approximately 340 square metres.
The design of K-Block also provides for the Terrace, being a large urban outdoor terrace space incorporating a balcony which projects out over the footpath of Campbell Street, to adjoin the Available Space. This zone of the K-Block building will enjoy direct access to morning and afternoon sun. With tables and chairs, this Terrace is able to become an extension of the cafe seating areas, and this opportunity comes with the opportunity to have licence rights over some or all of the Terrace for purposes associated with the cafe operation.
These combined indoor and outdoor spaces of the Available Space and Terrace have the potential to become a new destination point on this side of the city. The projection balcony of the Terrace over the Campbell Street footpath will engage the RHH with the public space on the street making the RHH more open, and encouraging participation. As well as providing much needed amenity to the RHH, the Available Space and Terrace will be orientated toward the Theatre Royal (and associated Hedberg Performing Arts Centre development), creating a unique urban relationship between these two cultural icons.
The opportunity exists for leasing for a cafe operation some or all of the Available Space and potentially licensing some Available Space and some or all of the Terrace, with uses additional and complimentary to a cafe (including compatible public space) as part of any such lease and licence rights granted also being able to be considered. Separate storage space within K-Block may also potentially be able to be made available for lease or licence if required.
To ensure maximum investment in public health infrastructure and services, minimising the public investment required to fit-out the space and maximising the financial return from the lease are objectives being pursued.
However, it is also recognised that there would be considerable public benefit if the leased space provided for a range of broader uses.
The request for proposal will indicate a strong preference that the usage of leased space:
- reflects the needs and improve the experiences of the people that use, visit and work at the RHH, ideally creating an environment that promotes people's health, happiness, and wellbeing
- provides for a place where people of all ages and cultures feel welcome, comfortable and respected, ideally promoting connections and social inclusion
- provides for a place for families and carers (inclusion of a parenting room and/or children's play area being considered desirable)
- provides opportunity for places for rest and reflection when for people that may be experiencing life altering circumstances and need to process their feelings (inclusion of quiet spaces being desirable) and
- where reasonably possible, provides for engagement of the community in acitivites and education relation to health, healing and caring for others (for example community and hospital arts programs promoting mental health and wellbeing).
Proponents will be required to take into account the above matters in preparing their Proposal, including identifying in their Proposal how their proposed operation will accord with the above preferences.
