The University of Western Australia, Forrest Research Foundation and Minderoo Foundation have this week celebrated the completion of the Forrest Hall Precinct.

“It’s exciting to finally see the completion of the Forrest Hall Precinct, which will improve the visibility, as well as the reputation and philanthropic impact of the Forrest Research Foundation for all Foundation stakeholders, including the State’s five universities, the community and the State.”

Professor James Arvanitakis, Director of the Forrest Research Foundation

Established in 2014 by Andrew and Nicola Forrest through their Minderoo Foundation, the Forrest Research Foundation drives research and innovation capacity in Western Australia by awarding fellowships and scholarships to the best and brightest researchers from around the world, enabling them to continue their work at one of Western Australia’s five universities.

Image: Forrest Research Foundation Scholars and Fellows with Nicola Forrest.

The first stage of Forrest Hall, located on the river side and adjacent to The University of Western Australia’s Crawley campus, opened in February 2018, providing 45 self-contained apartments, lounge areas, meeting rooms, library and riverside terrace facilities.

Since then, Forrest Hall has become a hub of community activity with the Foundation hosting multiple events in 2023 including book launches for local writers and researchers, public lectures and discussions in association with organisations such the Public Policy Institute and the Institute of International Affairs (WA Branch), the Australian Academy of Science, visiting professors and supporting local groups such as Rotary.

A hotel was part of the second stage of the Forrest Hall development, as well as the provision of nine additional rooms for scholars and fellows and office space, which has been leased to Minderoo.

Operated by Accor, Wonil Hotel Perth – Handwritten Collection, opened its doors earlier this year offering 66 short-stay accommodation rooms with net revenue from the hotel reinvested back into the Forrest Research Foundation. The final part of the development was the hotel’s food and beverage outlet, West Kitchen & Bar, which opened last week and completes the Forrest Hall Precinct.

Director of the Forrest Research Foundation Professor James Arvanitakis said the completed precinct would enable the Foundation to host more events and activities.

“It’s exciting to finally see the completion of the Forrest Hall Precinct, which will improve the visibility, as well as the reputation and philanthropic impact of the Forrest Research Foundation for all Foundation stakeholders, including the State’s five universities, the community and the State,” Professor Arvanitakis said.

The FRF scholars and fellows work across WA’s five universities and are researching areas ranging from alternative energy sources, astrophysics, coastal erosion and marine management, expanding new fields of research such as DNA origami, Australia’s aged workforce, and medical breakthroughs.