Intergenerational communities trend now growing rapidly
LONDON: The intergenerational communities movement is now a rapidly growing seniors housing trend in six countries.
A Perth “intergenerational building” is defining both the typical picture of an aged-care facility and standard building heights in its new western suburbs home.
Mixing child care, aged care and independent elderly living, WA’s $100 million-plus Queenslea project by Oryx and Multiplex is one of the first initiatives of its kind in Australia.
It reached practical completion last week and the media got a look inside the development on the corner of Shenton and Graylands roads in Claremont before its first residents are expected to move in by the middle of next month.
Its terracotta facade and precast art panels loom six storeys high over Claremont Oval near the Showground. Oryx director Toby Browne-Cooper is confident the complex won’t have any of its 100-plus car bays to spare for show cash by the time Perth’s beloved Royal Show returns after last year’s event was cancelled because of COVID-19.
The Queenslea has about 100 beds in its residential aged-care section, as well as 39 two-bed, two-bath serviced apartments for seniors mixed in with a number of one-bed apartments that cater for home care.
Shared dining areas and balconies, a wellness centre and outdoor areas with vegetable plots and fruit trees all tie together in Mr Browne-Cooper’s hope for a community to flourish among residents.
All apartments gravitate towards the key feature which makes the complex stand out from others — the Early Learning Centre.
“The way we view aged care in this country has changed: our residents will be able to enjoy a homely environment in an enriching and supportive community where couples can stay together and where families, friends and pets are welcome,” Mr Browne-Cooper said.
Oryx also operates The Richardson aged-care home in West Perth and has recently sealed approval for its boutique Melvista home in Nedlands.
