RetireAustralia has unveiled plans for a new vertical retirement village located on the old Fancutts Tennis Centre site in Lutwyche.
The company’s first Queensland development project involves the development of an eight-storey village featuring 183 independent living apartments and 35 care apartments for those requiring a higher level of support within their homes.
The village will include a range of community facilities including a wellness centre, sports bar, restaurant, private dining room, wine cellar, exercise circuit, landscaped gardens and rooftop sky deck with views to Brisbane’s CBD.
RetireAustralia CEO Alison Quinn said the company would utilise its extensive knowledge and experience in the retirement living sector to deliver a world-class boutique development that aims to enhance the lives of its residents.
“RetireAustralia has an excellent reputation as a national retirement village operator and we are excited to be delivering our first new retirement apartment project in Brisbane,” Mrs Quinn said.
“Fancutts Retirement Living is one of a number of new communities that we are developing in a variety of metropolitan areas to address the critical undersupply of quality seniors housing in Australia.
“The project has been named in recognition of the site’s history as the Fancutts Tennis Centre and Academy, while also honouring the Fancutt family who have been an integral part of the local community for generations, and we’re proud to welcome Daphne and Trevor Fancutt as ambassadors for the project.
“Fancutts will be a jewel in the crown of our new development division and will offer an exceptional new standard of retirement living.”
Mrs Quinn said RetireAustralia’s unique new care offering would become standard across all the company’s new development projects and would provide a diverse range of services, including private and government-funded care delivered by highly qualified staff.
“Our focus on delivering a quality lifestyle for residents that is centred on choice, independence and wellbeing will transcend well beyond industry standards to provide flexible living options where care services are tailored to the individual and allow them to remain in their home and within the village community,” she said.
Designed by leading seniors living architects Marchese Partners, in collaboration with the University of Stirling.
Principal Frank Ehrenberg said the design aimed to create an age-appropriate and enabling environment where residents could enjoy independent, supported and fulfilling lifestyles while taking advantage of all that Brisbane has to offer.
“RetireAustralia’s long experience in owning and operating retirement villages is evident in their commitment to an exceptional design standard at Fancutts,” Mr Ehrenberg said.
“Their willingness and commitment to engage and collaborate with external research institutions like the University of Stirling in Scotland to achieve world-class aged living design is commendable.
“From the stunning arrival experience across the Fancutts forecourt to the entry to the diverse range of community spaces and the light-filled apartments, this is an extraordinary project that represents retirement living at its best.”
The project is said to have 2,500 square metres – or more than a football field – of space devoted to community areas and facilities, with the design providing multiple opportunities for residents to socialise as well as spaces to enjoy the expansive views on the upper levels.
The apartments are within walking distance of Lutwyche City shopping centre, which is currently undergoing redevelopment, and close to medical and allied services, dining and entertainment, and public transport.
Expressions of Interest are now open with construction on Stage 1 expected to commence by mid-2019.
The Fancutt’s Tennis Centre site is a well-known and popular site with a long history spanning over 54 years of operation. It is also a very leafy and green site. The Tennis Centre appears nestled in a lush green park.
The development application number for this project is A004628058.
