Uniting’s new Sydney North Shore retirement village Bowden Brae has taken home a swag of awards for development excellence in retirement living.
The high-end development is part of a push by the organisation to double its retirement and independent living portfolio from 3,000 units to almost 6,000. Overall investment in residential aged care and retirement living will increase to $3 billion.
Bowden Brae has won two major awards including the Urban Developer Award for Industry Excellence and the Urban Taskforce Australia Award for Best Seniors Living Development in 2022. Bowden Brae was also a finalist for the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Award for Excellence in Retirement Living.
Bowden Brae, which includes 140 independent living apartments is now at 80 per cent capacity and offers new 2-bedroom, 2-bedroom plus study and 3-bedroom apartments for residents looking to downsize.
Uniting NSW.ACT’s Head of Property, Adrian Ciano, said in a statement that Uniting is very focused on the outcomes for people who live in and are supported in our properties.
“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 older Australians,” 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, inviting the broader community and family members to use the gym, cafe, hair and beauty salon and gardens. Sharing of resources allows people to age in place through mutual caring and support”, Mr Ciano added.
Bowden Brae was designed by PTW Architects using an approach where people can find an appropriate level of care within the same complex as they age.
PTW Executive Director, Diane Jones, said the shared use of open space for recreation, access to fresh air, sunlight and green spaces, and shared resources including personal transport and mutual caring and support was 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.
