Uniting’s new Upper North Shore retirement village Bowden Brae has been nominated as a finalist for the Best Retirement Village Development Award in the Retirement Living Council’s 2023 Awards. Bowden Brae has also been named as a finalist in the Retirement Living Awards 2023 for Marketing Excellence.
These national awards celebrate high achievement in the retirement living sector. The awards will be held in June next year at the 2023 National Retirement Living Summit.
The stunning new village has already won two awards this year including the Urban Developer Award for Industry Excellence, the Urban Taskforce Australia Award for Best Seniors Living Development in 2022.
Bowden Brae was also a finalist in the Urban Development Institute of Australia Awards for Excellence in Retirement Living.
Uniting Bowden Brae embraces the trend towards ageing in place which demands proximity to quality services and companionship in their senior years and sets the benchmark for adaptive universal housing.
Designed by one of the leading architectural practices, PTW Architects, used evidence-based research, design-led innovation and multidisciplinary collaborations to deliver this outstanding retirement village.
PTW Executive Director, Diane Jones, said the shared use of open space for recreation, access to fresh air, sunlight and green spaces, shared resources including personal transport and mutual caring and support were critical.
“The apartments are designed and built to meet the changing needs of residents over their lifetime. This approach is based on the principle that better housing design for older people is better housing design for everyone,” Ms Jones said.
Uniting NSW.ACT Head of Property, Adrian Ciano, said Uniting is very focused on the experience of people who live in and are supported in our villages.
“Being nominated as a finalist and winning these prestigious development awards is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the excellence that Uniting strives for in the development of high-quality accommodation for seniors,” Mr Ciano said.
“Good properties help to facilitate great care and service outcomes and also provide residents with a lovely environment to live in and a great place for employees to work.
“The successful design enables a rich diversity of social interaction, and intergenerational inclusions that invite the broader community and extended family members to use the playgrounds, café, and seniors gym.
“Bowden Brae is one of the largest, independent living developments by Uniting and creates an environment for people to comfortably age in place,” Mr Ciano said.
Completed in December 2021 after a two-staged approach, Uniting Bowden Brae includes 140 independent living apartments designed to meet the needs of seniors. With only a few remaining apartments for sale, Uniting Bowden Brae offers new 2-bedroom, 2-bedroom plus study.
The amenities include pet and family friendly spaces, a heated indoor swimming pool, playground, café and outdoor BBQ area, clubroom, hair salon, specialist Seniors gym, community gardens and chapel.
The village is step-free and has lift access to all apartments. Assisted Living services are available on request, giving residents added peace of mind and more time to enjoy the lifestyle at the village.
Uniting Director of Property and Housing, Simon Furness, said residents were settling very comfortably into their award-winning new homes.
He said the nomination was a terrific result for Uniting.
“This result is testament to the excellence that Uniting strives for in the development of high-quality accommodation for older Australians,” Mr Furness said.
“Good properties help to facilitate great care and service outcomes and provide residents with a lovely environment to live in and a great place for employees to work.
“Bowden Brae is one of the largest, independent living developments by Uniting and creates an environment for people to comfortably age in place.
“The open green spaces with beautiful gardens offer a welcoming atmosphere. We are so pleased to see new residents enjoying their new homes and communal spaces.”
