The Grace, a flagship project for Fender Katsalidis, has won the award for Best Retirement Living Development at the National Retirement Living Awards.

Held this year on the Gold Coast on 21 June, the awards are aimed at recognising achievement across the sector in design, innovation, refurbishment and marketing.

The Grace is an upmarket inner city vertical village in Melbourne’s Albert Park. It comprises 79 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and was developed to address the increasing need for retirement precincts with a community focus close to the CBD.

A media release says the design of the modernist 18-storey building focuses on the creation of a community while maximising natural light and views over both Albert Park Lake and the city.

Amenities included in the project include an artist’s studio, wellness facilities, a pool and a theatre.

“The sector is trending towards vertical living options with a smaller footprint, and this project sets the standard of how a community can be established through design and amenity,” says Fender Katsalidis principal Jessica Lee.

“Every consideration has been given to providing the best outcomes for those who will call The Grace home and continuing to meet their needs as they move into older age.”

With increased demand for aged care in Australia being driven by the nation’s ageing population, the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and rising pressures on the hospital system, there are widespread ongoing discussions on how best to provide diverse and dignified living options for retirees.

During recent talks with state and territory leaders at Parliament House, newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to a review into the operation of the entire public system, recognising it as in need of significant reform.

The Prime Minister said the lack of appropriate health services and staffing meant people were needlessly ending up in hospitals, putting further pressure on the system.

Fender Katsalidis’s Lee says that projects like The Grace and the entire Albert Retirement Living Community Precinct show how masterplanning can help to keep aged care residents out of the hospital system.

“There exists the likelihood that an older person’s situation may change and they will need some extra support. This precinct would offer a continuum of care where residents in The Grace could move into the neighbouring aged care and assisted living building,” she says.

“While other premium, new apartment buildings may target downsizers and retirees, they aren’t specifically taking into account the current and future needs of this demographic. This precinct addresses those needs, increasing the wellbeing of its residents by offering ease of experience and an extremely low change in environment.”

The National Retirement Living Awards for 2021 comprised six categories. Retirement Living Council executive director Ben Myers has commended the award winners for exemplifying the industry’s continued dedication to quality.

“The retirement living industry is such an important one to our national identity. It is so important that we recognise the people and places that give older Australians a healthy, engaged, and happy retirement,” he says.

The full list of winners:

Best Refurbishment: Brighton Classic Residences

Future Retirement Living Leader: Matt Fedrick

Marketing Excellence: Birdwood Park by RSL Lifecare

Salesperson of the Year: Sharon Manson

Village Manager of the Year: Steven Daly

Best Retirement Living Development: The Grace

Expressions of interest in the 2023 awards begin in August 2022, with the winners announced on 22 June 2023.

images supplied

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