National private mental health operator, Avive Health has confirmed plans to open its first South Australian hospital in the heart of Adelaide, bringing 60 new private mental health beds to the CBD alongside onsite psychiatrist consultation suites and day program therapy spaces.
The new ‘Avive Clinic Adelaide’ will be located within Pelligra’s redeveloped, mixed-use health precinct at 272–300 Wakefield Street. It will be Avive’s third private mental health hospital nationally, following Avive Clinic Brisbane (QLD, 63 beds) and Avive Clinic Mornington Peninsula (VIC, 60 beds).
Avive Health Co-CEO, Mark Sweeney said the Adelaide expansion reflects the group’s charter to deliver best-in-class, clinician-led mental health services where there is clear demand and limited choice.
“There is a critical need for high-quality, accessible mental health services in Adelaide. Our new CBD mental health hospital will provide patients with genuine choice in recovery and streamlined access to psychiatrists – all in a thoughtfully designed, welcoming environment,” Mr Sweeney said.
“At Avive, doctors lead the way – from co-designing our hospitals to shaping every element of care. We believe in treating the whole person, not just their condition. Our expansion into South Australia reflects our commitment to empowering psychiatrists and transforming patient outcomes through innovation and partnership.”
The new Adelaide hospital will showcase salutogenic design principles to actively support mental and physical wellbeing – including circadian lighting, calm communal areas, and wellness-focused amenities including a TechnoGym-equipped fitness studio.
The hospital will form part of Pelligra’s transformation of the former Calvary Hospital site into a premium mixed-use health precinct, already home to Breast Screen SA and a range of committed tenants including GP, ophthalmology, pharmacy, pathology, sleep clinic and allied health services.
Pelligra’s Ross Pelligra said, “Our attachment to Adelaide is well known and this is another project we are excited to bring to a state we believe in so strongly. There has been clear demand for a new mental health and rehabilitation hospital for years, and Avive Health’s arrival delivers exactly that. The project will also benefit the broader precinct, activating surrounding tenancies where only minimal vacancy remains.”
CBRE’s Australian Healthcare & Social Infrastructure team – Marcello Caspani-Muto, Sandro Peluso, Kai Wang and Jimmy Tat – together with JLL negotiated the pre-commitment.
Marcello Caspani-Muto added, “We are being approached on a weekly basis by notable healthcare users across South Australia who are either looking to re-locate or expand their operations within the property. This activity will only accelerate with the news of Avive’s commitment – it’s a highly compelling proposition: a central CBD location with significant parking, immediate demand, and quality anchor tenants.”
Avive’s model integrates holistic recovery planning into each patient journey, with tailored discharge plans developed by interdisciplinary teams. These plans incorporate dietitian-guided nutrition, exercise physiology, and sleep hygiene strategies to sustain recovery. Programs will address mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, and substance use across inpatient, day, and outpatient pathways.