The former Norvel Road clay pit in Ferntree Gully was listed in July after recently being filled in by the vendor, Robertson Industries, which has controlled the parcel for more than 35 years.

About 32 kilometres from the CBD, at the base of the Dandenong Ranges, the property is surrounded by an established residential neighbourhood built around the Blind Creek Billabong, near the Mountain Gate Tennis Club. The pocket is also close to the Puffing Billy Railway, 1000 steps memorial walk and Waterford Valley Golf Course.

Agency CBRE estimated that about eight hectares of the parcel on the corner of Norvel Road and Castricum Place is developable.

The land was not offered with any redevelopment concept plans, but it is identified as a strategic site under the recent Knox Housing Strategy Amendment C131. It is expected to make way for a townhouse-based village, but this could not be confirmed with the agents – Scott Orchard, Lewis Tong, Mark Wizel and Julian White – who were unavailable to comment.

In August, BRW Rich List families the Smorgons and Scanlons invested in the 162.7-hectare former Lilydale Quarry, which is speculated to need about $50 million to fill before being ready for residential redevelopment.

Shortlist for prime government alpine site  

Melbourne developers Rino Grollo and Ben Genser, with alpine business Hoys, are the three shortlisted parties in negotiations to seize control of a central Mount Hotham site from the state government.

Listed only a few weeks ago, the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board office at 28 Great Alpine Road sits on a 1905-square-metre block that offers 360 degree views.

It has the potential to be replaced with a five-level building, says selling agent John Castran, of Castran Real Estate. The sale is conditional on the new owner building new public services on the site, which is zoned mixed use and allows for the construction of residential, retail office and medical property.

Wellness centre/cancer clinic for Dinner Plain day spa

Meanwhile in nearby Dinner Plain, a Singaporean group has paid $4.8 million for a prestigious day spa at 125 Big Muster Drive.

Upon lease expiry, the new owner plans to convert the alpine retreat on a 2040-square-metre block near the Mount Hotham airport into a high-end wellness centre/cancer clinic. The leasee, Merlin Entertainment, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, pays annual rent of nearly $830,000 on a lease expiring in 2022, with extension options.

Sydney Road, Brunswick, site sells

A major commercial and industrial land holding in the Sydney Road, Brunswick, retail strip is selling for a speculated $6.5 million.

The 3135-square-metre site, which also has rear road access to Prowse Street, was marketing to builders for its potential to make way for "a future landmark development". At present, low-rise buildings on the property generate an annual income of about $230,000.

Gross Waddell's Michael Gross and Alex Ham targeted developers, recently marketing the property

ANMF lists 540 Elizabeth Street HQ

After buying a new headquarters four years ago – during what was considered a sluggish time in Melbourne's commercial property market – the Victorian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has listed for sale its outgoing control centre, at what many consider a peak period.

The association can expect about $30 million for two adjoining properties at 532 and 540 Elizabeth Street, which are being offered separately or together. Covering 762 square metres, the offering includes a nine-level, 4021-square-metre office with 38 basement car parks and a neighbouring two-level brick building.

The listing comes after the ANMF purchased a 1519-square-metre development site across the road at 529-541 Elizabeth Street, in 2012. That property is now earmarked to make way for a new office headquarters and apartment complex.

CBRE's Josh Rutman, Kiran Pillai and Mark Wizel are marketing 532 and 540 Elizabeth Street.

Essendon's Roselyn Court reception centre sold

Aged care provider Arcare is paying $13.5 million –  some 35 per cent more than price expectations – for Essendon's Roselyn Court receptions centre, about seven kilometres north of town.

The 5012-square-metre parcel at 33-35 Raleigh Street went through an off-market campaign and with vacant possession a year after the vendors obtained a controversial permit to replace the low-density site with 46 dwellings.

In a prestigious pocket of the suburb near the Windy Hill fitness complex and oval, the Roselyn Court site includes a large red brick home, re-purposed as a reception venue, some smaller buildings, a car park and several established garden spaces.

Self-described "five-star aged care service provider" Arcare will begin redeveloping the block immediately, according to Colliers International selling agents Trent Hobart and Bryson Cameron.

The deal was signed several days before a formal expressions of interest campaign was set to close.

Aged care operators have outmuscled private builders for several prime suburban sites this year.

Two months ago, Ryman Healthcare paid close to $40 million for the 8.9 hectare Melbourne Business School in Mount Eliza.

In April, Benetas paid $18 million for a 6232-square-metre future aged care site at 534-540 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, while another provider paid $13.5 million for a 3500-square-metre parcel in Well Street, Brighton.

These two deals followed Japara Healthcare investing $8.3 million on a 5425-square-metre development site at 120 Mason Street, Newport, seven kilometres west of the CBD.

The cycle has resulted in care providers becoming active sellers of older complexes too. Last week it was reported that the former Sheridan Hall complex in Malvern East is exchanging for $9.7 million. Benetas also sold a 5751-square-metre former retirement complex in Union Street, Brighton East, for $19 million (against initial price hopes of $11 million).

Email: marcpallisco@gmail.com

Twitter: @marcpallisco