Vertical retirement village wins national property award
A new vertical retirement village in Queensland has taken home a national award at the 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.
The Village Coorparoo was presented with the GHD Woodhead Award for Best Retirement Living Development at a gala event in Sydney.
This master planned retirement village features 217 two- and three-bedroom independent living units in a multi-level building just five kilometres from the Brisbane CBD.
Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison says The Village Coorparoo “offers an attractive retirement living alternative for retirees who have spent their lives in the surrounding inner city areas.
“The Village Coorparoo has allowed local residents to remain close to their friends and families – with 90 per cent living within two kilometres of their former residences,” he explains.
“The village also provides flexible accommodation choices for older people with supported living options that mean they don’t need to leave their community if their health needs change,” Mr Morrison says.
According to Managing Director of RLB Queensland, David Stewart, the Village delivers an integrated retirement community in a medium-rise building.
“The quality of the design, and the level of amenity and services raise the bar on retirement living in urban settings,” Mr Stewart explains.
The Catholic Church’s Xavier Hospital occupied the site for more than 60 years, but after relocating the buildings were abandoned.
The development team has restored the heritage-listed hospital residence, removing unsympathetic alterations and delivering high-quality community facilities.
The building’s central hub contains communal facilities such as a bistro, café, resident and guest lounges, billiards room, club lounge, arts and crafts room, library, subterranean pool, cinema, outdoor kitchen and recreational terrace, bowling green and associated staff administration and facilities.
The development has also regenerated the local area. “As some of the area’s over 65s have moved into the village, younger families have been able to secure properties located close to the city. This has benefited local businesses and schools,” Mr Stewart adds.
RLB has partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present the Innovation & Excellence Awards program since its inception in 1982.
The 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Award winners were announced on Friday 5 May at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre Sydney.
A full list of winners is available at www.propertycouncilawards.com.au