Downsizers looking for newly-built retirement living homes will be spoilt for choice during 2021, with construction due to finish on a range of major projects including golf course estates and inner-city villages.
Downsizing.com.au has taken a close look at the projects which are expected to change the face of retirement living this year in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Victoria.
Importantly, the projects include a wide range of price points and apartment options which means downsizers should be able to find a place that perfectly suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Queensland
Somerset Indooroopilly (Brisbane)
Slated for completion in December 2021, stage one of Aura Holdings’ Somerset Indooroopilly is being built within historic Indooroopilly Golf Club, seven kilometers from Brisbane’s CBD.
Aura Holdings’ director Mark Taylor says golf-lovers will relish the location, with the tee-off just a short stroll or buggy ride away. “Our residents will be retirees or semi-retirees now free of any home or yard maintenance, yet their ‘backyard’ will be 130 hectares of rolling green fairways and towering trees,” he says. “I’ve heard the Indooroopilly Golf Course described as ‘the green lungs of Brisbane city’.’’
The prestige project will provide 80 two and three-bedroom apartments, plus four opulent penthouses, over five levels designed to capture course views. High-end facilities including a pool and spa, gymnasium, wine room, and private dining room mean non-golfers will also have plenty to enjoy.
Residents will also have access to in-home support services to ensure they can age in place.
Apartments range from $680,000 to just under $3 million and 50% have already been sold.
Pavilion on Kirra (Gold Coast)
With 10 storeys offering stunning ocean views just 100 metres from the beach, stage one of The Pavilion North Kirra is due for completion in September 2021. Of the 68 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, priced from $495,000 to $1.28 million, only two remain for sale.
Mark Taylor, Aura Holdings’ director, says The Pavilion offers unique beachside retirement living “in a small, connected community with support, if needed, to maintain an independent lifestyle”.
when it opens in September 2021
“Not only is this development so close to some of the best beaches on the Gold Coast, but residents will have Aura’s exceptional standard of independent living, state-of-the-art facilities, with lifestyle and wellbeing services on hand,” he says.
The pet-friendly village’s community facilities will include a rooftop garden, café, gym, library, yoga and Pilates zone, wine room and barbecue area, plus retail space on the ground floor.
Construction of stage two will include a pool and is due to be completed late 2022, with 50% already sold.
The Verge at Burleigh (Gold Coast)
Positioned alongside the 10th fairway overlooking the Burleigh Golf Course, stage one of The Verge at Burleigh is due for completion in March 2021. It includes 40 one-bedroom plus study, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and penthouse apartments over five levels, priced from $510,000 - $960,000. A further 66 are due to start construction mid-2021.
The RetireAustralia project affords residents world-class facilities and acknowledges the importance of social connection for wellbeing, especially as people age, says RetireAustralia Chief Executive Officer Dr Brett Robinson.
“Our research shows that feeling secure is one of the key benefits of retirement village living, and The Verge, with its unique vertical design, takes this to a new level,” he says. “It has been specifically designed to enhance the wellbeing of residents and provide the peace of mind that comes with living in a safe, secure and friendly environment.”
Each contemporary apartment boasts floor-to-ceiling glass balcony doors providing sweeping outlooks. The complex incorporates a residents’ bar and café, rooftop terrace and Wellness Centre and is close to leading beaches, entertainment, and shopping.
New South Wales
The Rose by Moran (Sydney)
This Provectus Care property in Wahroonga on Sydney’s upper north shore boasts a collection of two and three-bedroom luxury apartments enveloped among private leafy gardens, due for completion in February 2021.
Built around Rosemorran a newly renovated Federation era mansion, the 33 luxury dwellings are the epitome of stylish, elegant living. Premium fixtures and finishings feature throughout, such as Quantum Quartz bench tops and splash backs, integrated Miele appliances and engineered oak/100% wool flooring.
Amenities include a heated indoor pool, infra-red sauna, gym, beauty salon, cinema, library, music and arts studio and workshop, to name a few.
Apartments range from $900,000 to $2.1million, with a deferred management fee applicable.
Uniting Bowden Brae (Sydney)
Stage 2 of Uniting Bowden Brae in Normanhurst is set to open in mid-2021. The 101 new apartments include a choice of two, two plus study or three bedrooms, each designed to optimise the natural light and make entertaining a breeze.
The apartments have been thoughtfully constructed for ease of accessibility by people with mobility limitations, with inclusions such as zero-threshold shower recesses and a towel rack which doubles as a grab rail in the bathrooms.
Various assisted living and home care services will be available, including personal care, meal preparation, and cleaning. Community facilities aimed at encouraging social interaction and health include a gym, café, indoor pool, and communal areas.
The apartments adjoin a Uniting residential aged care facility, so residents can easily move across if their care needs change.
Two-bedroom homes are selling from $840,000 and three-bedroom apartments from $1,060,000.
Uniting Leichhardt (Sydney)
In the heart of Sydney’s bustling inner-west café and restaurant precinct, the Uniting Leichhardt complex has 49 apartments on six levels.
Many of the one-bedroom, two-bedroom, two plus study and three-bedroom apartments afford stunning views. They have been planned for ease of access and the ability to incorporate mobility modifications. Quality fixtures and finishes include engineered timber floors, stone benchtops and integrated Miele appliances.
In line with Uniting’s commitment to allowing residents to age in place, Uniting Leichardt has been designed for an easy transition between retirement living, assisted living and residential care. This means couples whose care needs change over time can receive the support they need, without moving too far from partners and friends.
It will complement Uniting’s ‘The Marion’ residential aged care home and Uniting Seniors Gym in Lilyfield and include an allocation of affordable housing.
The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2021, with one bedroom apartments starting from $680,000, two bedrooms starting from $790,000 and three bedrooms starting from $1,000,000
Uniting Westmead (Sydney)
Completed in January 2021 at a location next to 85 hectares of verdant green space, Uniting Westmead has 70 apartments containing either one, two or three bedrooms (some with study areas). Some offer views over Parramatta Park, or even the CBD skyline from higher levels, and all have generous balconies for outdoor living.
In accordance with Uniting’s philosophy of integrating their projects with the wider community, the Westmead complex has a café and seniors gym open to the public as well as residents. And in recognition of the benefits of intergenerational living, there’s also an onsite childcare facility.
The complex includes a residential aged care facility and is a short stroll to Westmead Hospital, train station and light rail.
Apartments ranging from $565,000 to $920,000 are available now for independent or assisted living. A deferred management fee applies.
Australian Capital Territory
Yarra Rossa
BaptistCare's Yarra Rossa is located in the prestigious Canberra suburb of Red Hill and when complete in late 2021 will include 100 architecturally designed apartments spread across five low rise precincts in a resort-style community.
There are one, two and three bedroom apartments available that feature open plan living, modern fixtures and appliances and private balconies.
Victoria
Europa on Alma (Melbourne)
As Bolton Clarke’s first foray into Victoria, the construction of Europa on Alma at St Kilda will “create a new and innovative living option for Melbourne residents”, says their chairman Pat McIntosh.
Designed with a focus on independence and wellbeing, the community will facilitate connection between residents and St Kilda’s dynamic bayside and urban lifestyle.
“Like St Kilda itself, this will be a community with a difference. It will incorporate 81 new one, two and three-bedroom apartments built around a landscaped, light-filled internal courtyard,” Mr McIntosh says.
Scheduled for completion in Spring 2021, the premium apartments are designed to be fully accessible and will feature balconies, timber flooring in living areas, and Miele kitchen and laundry appliances.
Special features include a hotel-style concierge service, cinema with bar, private dining area leading to an outdoor patio, library, and a creative studio for arts, crafts and woodworking. “There’ll also be a fully equipped gym and a sky room with expansive views,” Mr McIntosh said. “And of course, our home support and nursing services will be available for times when people need more support.”
One-bedroom apartments start from $480,000, two-bedroom from $765,000, and three-bedroom from $1,235,000.
Conclusion
The significant construction activity happening in retirement living is excellent news for Australians over 50 looking to downsize into brand-new facilities this year.
And according to research by Downsizing.com.au – Australia’s leading over 50s property portal – and OverSixty.com.au, downsizing retirement living has a strong future post-COVID-19.
Their survey of Australian over 50s found that one in three reported being more likely to downsize because of COVID-19, with many motivated by the desire to live among a like-minded community and reduced maintenance chores.
Furthermore, downsizing needs have changed, with 54% saying two or more bedrooms are essential, compared to 48% in a survey conducted before the pandemic. Requirements for vehicle parking have also jumped, with 56% and 54% of respondents respectively regarding garages and parking spaces as essential – whereas both were below 50% in the pre-COVID-19 survey.
Downsizing.com.au is Australia's leading over 50s property portal and the best place to find your ideal retirement living home.
* Project completion dates may vary due to unforeseen circumstances, such as inclement weather, or COVID-related travel or activity restrictions.
