Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Aged Care

<html><body>
International contractor Brookfield Multiplex has been hired by Greengate to build an $80 million aged care and retirement village in Sydney’s southern suburb of Kogarah.
The new St Patrick’s Green Aged Care and Retirement Village at 42- 48 Chapel Street will be a 21,000 square metre development and have three buildings. 
It will comprise 105 independent living units and a 92-room residential aged care facility that can fit in 100 beds. 
The village will have a communal lawn, café and terrace, lounge, theatrette, dining, hair salon and gym. 
Construction is scheduled for completion by late-2017. 
The site neighbours St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School and is on the former Bethany College site, where the old college buildings were recently decommissioned for the new project.
David Ghannoum, regional managing director NSW at Brookfield Multiplex, said the St. Patrick’s Green Aged Care and Retirement Village was another addition to its experience in building aged-care facilities. 
The contractor is already working on two others — The Terraces in Paddington and the Mark Moran seniors living village in Vaucluse, said Ghannoum.
</body></html>

prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Brookfield Multiplex to build $80 million aged care facility in Sydney’s Kogarah

<html><body>
Aged care not-for-profit group Benetas has sold its redundant East Brighton respite facility to another aged care provider for $19 million, some 75 percent over the reserve price, in a deal brokered by Savills.
The ageing baby boomer population is driving the market for aged care facilities and properties, according to Savills’ Clinton Baxter, who managed the expressions of interest campaign with Julian Heatherich and Jesse Radisich. 
The 68-76 Union Street property is close to the East Brighton retail precinct and the Nepean Highway, and walking distance to parks and recreation facilities. 
It comprises a 5,751 square metre site, zoned Neighbourhood Residential.
Baxter said 10 offers were received and competition between three leading aged care providers pushed the price well beyond the vendor’s expectations and achieved a record land sale rate of $3300 a square metre.
"The most significant driver has been the growing demand from the cashed up Baby Boomer generation and that is only going to continue as more of that generation reach retirement and beyond,’’ Baxter said.
Heatherich said the latest research from Leading Age Services Australia suggested 60,000 more residential care places were needed, along with infrastructure investment of $30 billion by 2025.
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Benetas sells aged care facility in Melbourne for $19 million through Savills

<html><body>
Strong growth in Australia’s aged care sector has underpinned the sale of a 4,071 sqm landholding in Sydney's North Manly.
An aged care provider secured the Warringah Golf Club’s clubhouse facilities at 397 Condamine Street.
The sale follows the proposed relocation of Warringah Golf Club’s clubhouse facilities to a new site on the golf course, or close to it. 
The deal was brokered by CBRE’s Aaron Arias, Richard Gell and Matthew Sartori. The actual price wasn't disclosed.
“The strong result reflects the current strength in demand for residential development and aged sites in the sub $20 million price range," Arias said.
CBRE’s health, aged care and retirement living specialist Matthew Sartori said while many providers look to acquire regional bed licenses to operate facilities prior to acquiring greenfield sites, some operators were looking to purchase greenfield sites earlier to guarantee location of choice. 
“Typically, aged care has not been able to compete with the residential development market on prime sites, but with a bit of a shift within the market, and with perceived over-supply of residential in certain areas, with the right site criteria, this is changing – as demonstrated by this sale,” Sartori said. 
Further evidencing the momentum in the aged care market, a private operator recently secured a residential site within the mid-north coast region, close to health facilities.
Also in Sydney’s northern suburbs, a Frenchs Forest site within the proposed Health Employment Precinct exchanged hands with healthcare development being the most likely future use. CBRE brokered the deal. 
“The elderly and healthcare will play a significant part of our economy and country for years to come, as well as countries around the world, in an unprecedented way,” Sartori said. 
 
</body></html>

Aged care provider secures Warringah Golf Clubhouse site in Sydney

<html><body>
Shane Moran, of the Moran health care family, is the mystery buyer of Darling House, the priciest cottage yet sold in the NSW Government's Millers Point sell-off.
He paid $7.7 million for the 1840's Georgian Regency property which was previously an low income aged care facility. He now plans a boutique low care aged care enterprise.
It's no great surprise as the visionary Moran family have a very long association with heritage buildings across Sydney.
The property was marketed with the possibility to be turned into a grand family home, but Moran is intent on re-establishing its previous use.
But with an intimate club-like 10 rooms, it will be aimed squarely at wealthy retirees whose middle aged children likely work and live in the city proximity.
Set back from the street on 759 sqm, the standalone sandstone house offers ten bedrooms, ten ensuite bathrooms and picturesque gardens in a quiet enclave.
It's a little less grand that where Shane calls home. That's Swifts, the 56 room neo-Gothic castlelated mansion in Darling Point.
Darling House, formerly known as the Rocks Cottage Type Hospital, was sold by Richard Shalhoub of McGrath in conjunction with Shayne Harris from Savills.
The transformation of the suburb is set to make Millers Point a very special part of the city.
Darling House was first owned by local businessman Joseph Farris whose early tenants including surgeon, Leopold Sachs. 
The Sydney Harbour Trust took over the property in 1901.
This article was first published in the Daily Telegraph.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Shane Moran to open Millers Point aged care home

<html><body>
The currently ingrained ‘business as usual’ approach to retirement living and residential aged care requires radical transformation to suit Australia’s ageing population.

Approximately 12 per cent of Australia’s population are over the age of 65, a statistic that’s expected to increase to 16 per cent by 2030. The next generation of retirees - the baby boomers - are expected to be the wealthiest cohort of retirees the nation has seen yet. These consumers have greater expectations of their retirement years than previous generations.

In a world where 75 is the new 55, developers and facility operators are being offered the chance to cash in on these markets where growth is virtually guaranteed. However, despite these clear opportunities, Australia’s residential aged care and retirement facilities are already showing signs of falling behind.

Here we explore three out-dated assumptions of aged care design that are jeopardising and restricting innovative solutions:

<h2>Assumption one: All retirees have similar housing needs</h2>

The University of NSW prepared a report for the National Housing Supply Council in 2012 that identified six typical types of requirements retirees may have for housing:

<ul>
<li>Age-in-place: The group that wants to, and is able to, keep living in the family home.</li>
	<li>Local-adapters: The group that has recently or wants to, and is able to, move out of their current home but keep living in the same area.</li>
	<li>Scene-changers: The group that has recently or wants to, and is able to, move out of the current home and area to somewhere with greater amenity.</li>
	<li>Constrained-retreat: The group that wants to keep living in their current home, or even the same area, but is forced to make compromises due to financial constraints.</li>
	<li>Increased-dependency: The group that wants to stay in their current home but has to make housing or location compromises due to deteriorating health.</li>
	<li>Older-renters: The group that has reached retirement without purchasing their own home, and will need to retain or find ongoing rental accommodation.</li>
</ul>
Local-adaptors and scene-changers, for example, will be on the lookout for well-appointed and convenient housing in middle and inner ring suburbs as well as sought-after sea and tree change locations.

Constrained-retreat consumers will most likely need to release equity from their homes by moving to less expensive and more convenient housing in the middle and outer ring suburbs. Increased-dependency consumers will be seeking housing that provides access to assistance and services.

When we consider retirees who must move away from neighbourhoods where they have lived long term, access to activities or environments in which they can build new social networks may increase in importance, particularly to those who are single or widowed retirees. It is entirely possible that consumers require a combination of these needs, such as a single individual with increased dependency who prefers to and can afford to also be a local-adaptor, provided there are appropriate housing options available.

<h2>Assumption two: People over the age of 65 want to live in designated precincts</h2>

Many older Australians want to mix with younger people and don’t want to be typecast as being ‘old’.

The traditional retirement village and aged care home typology is an unattractive prospect to this cohort, particularly when located at sites that have limited connections with the surrounding neighbourhood.

A new approach to urban design for retirement living may also assist with avoiding negative perceptions. Considerations such as locating retirement living close to town or village centres, avoiding a “gated” appearance and incorporating cafes and community facilities that can be accessed and utilised by the wider community are all ways of achieving this. ClarkeHopkinsClarke is currently implementing these principles on our St Germain Village project in Clyde North, Victoria.

Last year in Britain, a commission chaired by a former minister recommended that new housing for the elderly and disabled should be incorporated into shopping developments, new apartment blocks and even universities to prevent the elderly from being cut off in “care ghettoes”. This idea is gaining momentum in Australia, with residential developments expected to attract a high proportion of retirees under consideration above and adjacent to well-known Victorian shopping centres such as Chadstone, Northland and Highpoint.

<h2>Assumption three: Only young people want to live in apartments</h2>

Retirees are already strong contributors to Australia’s booming apartment market. Only 6-8 per cent of retirees live in retirement villages, whereas currently, they make up approximately 30 per cent of Australia’s medium-high density housing market.

Director Project Marketing Residential at Colliers International, David Chittenden, has said,”Apartment living is now an emerging trend for [retirees]. These people don’t want to do chores, with large houses and gardens to maintain; they’re looking for an easier lifestyle with more time for themselves and a community around them.”

This sentiment has been proven to be correct on our Soho Village project in the outer suburb of Point Cook, Victoria with a large percentage of the luxury townhouses in the development being snapped up by retirees. Despite this, very few apartment developments are marketed to retirees.

Creating medium and high-density housing developments in which a portion of dwellings are either designated as ‘retirement living’ or are easily adapted for the needs of ageing consumers is a market opportunity that is currently being missed.

Such an approach would be an effective way to improve the current deficiency of downsizing options available in the middle ring suburbs of Australia’s capital cities.

Robert Goodliffe is a Partner at ClarkeHopkinsClarke and has been an architect since 1981, working predominantly on Education, Multi-Residential, and Health &amp; Aged Care projects. Robert has also been elected to serve as an Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter Councillor for 2015-16.
</body></html>

Robert Goodliffe

Three assumptions limiting Australian aged care design

<html><body>
Yesterday Meinhardt Australia's James Hargraves explored the growing trend of <a href="/news/the-rise-of-vertical-aged-care" target="_blank">higher density aged care facilities</a> throughout Melbourne. Exploring the changing dynamics within the sector, James outlined a new model where Ageing in Place has become more apparent.

"This is driving the demand for centrally located facilities: closer to the city, closer to existing amenities and closer to the families and children of residents." Consequently vertical buildings have become more prevalent; although not hulking towers they certainly account for an increasing number of tower cranes.

Urban.com.au has chosen to highlight five of the more impressive current vertical age care/retirement designs:

<h2>619 St Kilda Road, Melbourne</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image261.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="619 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Image © Smith + Tracey"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="384" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image261.jpg?itok=dQ5F5Wp0" title="619 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Image © Smith + Tracey" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>619 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Image © Smith + Tracey</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Operator: Jewish Care</li>
	<li>Architect: Smith + Tracey</li>
	<li>Ten levels at 36.3 metres</li>
	<li>156 beds and active living centre, fitness and lifestyle facilities</li>
	<li>Medical and allied health service, employment and education centre.</li>
	<li>Café, convenience store, pharmacy and hairdresser servicing residents and the general public.</li>
	<li>Construction start 2015</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
This dynamic development will offer our elders the opportunity to live in state-of-the-art ‘small households’ with their own self-contained lounge, dining, kitchen and recreational facilities.
<cite>Jewish Care</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>97 Elgin Street, Hawthorn</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/33_97_elgin_street_hawthorn_2_ecc98e_med.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="97 Elgin Street, Hawthorn. Image © Edgard Pirrotta"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="188" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/33_97_elgin_street_hawthorn_2_ecc98e_med.jpg?itok=eFB4dtIA" title="97 Elgin Street, Hawthorn. Image © Edgard Pirrotta" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>97 Elgin Street, Hawthorn. Image © Edgard Pirrotta</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Operator: St. Joseph's Aged Care</li>
	<li>Architect: Edgard Pirrotta</li>
	<li>$35 million retirement apartment complex</li>
	<li>Five levels at 19.28 metres</li>
	<li>70 two and three-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>Construction imminent</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
A disused school adjacent to the site is to be converted into resident facilities including a restaurant, private dining room, lounge, library, coffee bar and billiards room, and support services. The refurbished 1908 building will integrate perfectly with the modern new apartment structure which provides additional facilities such as a theatrette, multi-purpose space and wellness centre.

Sensitive heritage and streetscape issues associated with the former school and the one-hundred-fifty-year-old St Josephs church on the site have to be addressed to ensure the contemporary apartment building complements these historic structures as well as the surrounding 19th century residential architectural style.
<cite>Buxton Construction</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>107-115 Andersons Creek Road, Doncaster East</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image244.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="107-115 Andersons Creek Road, Doncaster East. Image © CHT"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="309" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image244.jpg?itok=YwKq3DUP" title="107-115 Andersons Creek Road, Doncaster East. Image © CHT" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>107-115 Andersons Creek Road, Doncaster East. Image © CHT</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Operator: Baptcare</li>
	<li>Architect: Carabott Holt Turnicov</li>
	<li>Six buildings with 142 independent living apartments &amp; 150 aged care beds</li>
	<li>252 car parking spaces</li>
	<li>Resident’s community centre</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
It is considered that the application constitutes a well conceived architecturally interesting development...The proposal fulfils a need for additional aged care and age in place accommodation within The Pines Major Activity Centre and the Manningham municipality in general.
<cite>Manningham City Council</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>39 Livingstone Road, Vermont South</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/livingstone_vermont_drone_01.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="39 Livingstone Road, Vermont South midway through construction. Image © De Nova Group"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="356" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/livingstone_vermont_drone_01.jpg?itok=4rjiavjQ" title="39 Livingstone Road, Vermont South midway through construction. Image © De Nova Group" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>39 Livingstone Road, Vermont South midway through construction. Image © De Nova Group</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Operator: BlueCross</li>
	<li>Architect: De Nova Group</li>
	<li>Part 2 and part 4 level aged care facility of 220 beds</li>
	<li>Part 4 and part 6 level building with 68 independent living apartments (Retirement Village).</li>
	<li>Lounges, communal areas, music room, commercial kitchen, hairdresser, physiotherapy</li>
	<li>Café, library, theatre, physic office, visiting practitioners suite, gym, hydro therapy pool</li>
	<li>Completion early 2015</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
The proposed development, together with the proposed supporting services and recreational facilities provide a complete range of services and facilities to ensure a high quality facility for future residents.
<cite>Urbis Planning Report</cite>
</blockquote>

<h2>7-9 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image245.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="7-9 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North. Image © Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image245.jpg?itok=_XlqzIjg" title="7-9 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North. Image © Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>7-9 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North. Image © Bates Smart</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Operator: Emmy Monash Aged Care</li>
	<li>Architect: Bates Smart</li>
	<li>94 rooms over four levels</li>
	<li>49 basement car parking bays</li>
	<li>Dining, recreation and care facilities and communal courtyards</li>
	<li>Construction immediate</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
The Shape Tomorrow consultation process highlighted our community’s desire for innovative aged care programs to be seamlessly offered in 21st century architect designed facilities in a convenient Caulfield North location.

The new Hawthorn Road development will represent uncompromising style, whilst offering extensive lifestyle options with levels of care expected by our community.
<cite>Emmy Monash Aged Care</cite>
</blockquote>
</body></html>

silvermb

Vertical aged care in action

<html><body>
The aged care sector as a whole has assets of $28 billion, looks after more than 182,000 residents and contributes more than 38,000 jobs. The Department of Health and Ageing suggests that 74,000 additional places need to be built over the next decade.

At the same time the aged care sector is changing. We are moving to a new model of Ageing in Place. This is driving the demand for centrally located facilities: closer to the city, closer to existing amenities and closer to the families and children of residents.

Building in an area with a higher urban density means thinking vertically. But how easy is it to turn the traditional horizontal aged care model vertically? Is it risky or can it be built economically? And what challenges does it pose?

In reality, a vertical aged care facility is no different to a typical traditional village structure.

Below is a picture of Glengollan Village, a new development but a more traditional approach to aged care. The Operations and Clinics are located at the front of the development. In a vertically stacked approach, this moves to the ground floor. Car parking needs to be located within walking distance of the clinics. This would now be the basement level, easily accessible via lift. Intensive Care needs to be close to the Operations hub and is therefore located on the First Floor. The Assisted/Aided Care rooms are traditionally located further away. These now become the top floors, similar to apartment living.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hirisemodeldiagram.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Differing methods of aged care. Image courtesy Meinhardt"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="281" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/hirisemodeldiagram.png?itok=TLig3a8L" title="Differing methods of aged care. Image courtesy Meinhardt" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Differing methods of aged care. Image courtesy Meinhardt</figcaption></figure>To answer the question is it risky or can it be built economically, consider the case of the Alarm Clock Radio. Here the makers combined existing technologies to create a new product.

In the same way by stacking the traditional aged care model by using high-rise construction approaches and technologies and hospital floor plates as the backbone, we can easily create vertical aged care buildings.

The vertical similarities of high-rise residential are clear. We have parking in the basement, a foyer or even commercial level, the apartments in the higher value upper portions of the building and your services at the top.

Horizontally, as with hospitals, there are wet-area set downs, regular grids, suspended banded slabs, and central access cores, used structural for lateral stability and to provide multiple points of egress

<h2>Carlton Wellbeing – Building 5</h2>

The Carlton Wellbeing Precinct Project in Melbourne will provide three standalone buildings arranged around a new central public park, and will consist of retirement living, aged and assisted care accommodation and community services. Building 5, which is nearing completion, is an example of how vertical aged care can work successfully.

The consultant team, which included architects dwp/Suters and Jackson Architecture, was given the challenge to provide 75 parking spaces, provide large open spaces common to traditional aged care community rooms and common living spaces, but with additional retail opportunities, future proof the development and ensure significant amounts of natural light to give it a homely feel.

The 2 split level floors of the car park needed to cater for staff, resident and family use. The parking spots have fixed dimensions that could not be modified that are set out in the Australian Standards. However, this was resolved using common transfer structures found in most high-rise developments.

Throughout the rest of the project, the design team worked together to eliminate transfer structures and create a flat plate situation for the slab, thus reducing formwork and manual labour costs. As the most expensive part of a building is labour, having thicker slabs and higher material quantities but a simple build is more cost effective.

By reducing steps and changes in geometry in the slabs it speeds up the cycle time to build suspended floors. This process has reduced costs and allowed more architectural features to remain part of the building post tender, creating a more attractive end product.

To create the open spaces needed, by allowing the core to do the work maximises space on the floor plate that would otherwise be taken up with shear walls and larger columns. It also gives freedom to the architect on the appearance of the façade, amount of light and space at the building edge. Again this is an approach we often take in high-rise construction.

The residential floors also had to be flexible for possible future expansion of the wards and potential operational changes, which may require conversion to apartment space. By designing a flat 3kPa general live load – a common solution to this challenge – the desired flexibility has been achieved.

The final challenge of the architectural brief was to blend the building in with the rest of the development and surrounding residential profile of the neighbourhood. In keeping with the flexibility required the engineering team developed a light weight precast wall system that was load bearing to reduce columns. This is typical of residential towers within and around Melbourne.

Taking models and learnings from other sectors vertical aged care is easily achievable and, indeed, Carlton Wellbeing – Building 5 demonstrates that it can be done very successfully.

As the population continues to age and the model of ageing in place gains further traction, there is no reason we will not see the continued rise of vertical aged care.

This article first appeared on <a href="http://practicalimagination.info/" target="_blank">practicalimagination.info</a>, Meinhardt Australia's blog for new ideas, thought leadership and educational events.
</body></html>

Aged Care

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Aged Care

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News