Life begins at retirement with $110m seniors living village in eastern Sydney

The project involved the construction of a 32,000 square metre seniors living village comprising over 200 different types of live-in facilities, almost half of which are ‘super suites’, as well as a number of Independent Living Units and residential aged care rooms and rehabilitation. It also features an impressive range of on-site facilities including dining venues, a 25 metre swimming pool, gymnasium, cinema, art rooms and wellness centre.

Construction spanned a nineteen-month period and was completed on time, with a strong workforce of 400 people on-site.

“We are delighted to have delivered this world-class project on time and within budget. The innovative facility offers the best in retirement living and aged care and brings us one step closer to relieving the pressing issue of providing quality accommodation options for seniors in Australia,” said Mr David Ghannoum, Regional Managing Director of New South Wales at Multiplex.

Designed to the concept of co-founders Mark and Evette Moran by architects Marchese Partners, with the gardens by Taylor Brammer, the buildings are wrapped in a contemporary glazed eco-sensitive skin which was inspired by its headland location. Punctuated framed window and balcony elements are features that distinguish the project from traditional retirement living facilities. A large four-storey atrium became the signature design element of the project, providing abundant natural light and connecting all floors.

Bringing to life their concept the interiors were personally created by Evette Moran. “Mark and I were inspired by what I call barefoot lux. A place that feels more home than home, yet is beautiful, whimsical and eclectic entwining Moorish themes and antiquities to Palm Springs and sensory gardens.”

The collaboration between Multiplex and Mark Moran Group extended to the support of the Literacy for Life Foundation, a partnership between Multiplex, National Health Research – The Lowitja Institute, and Indigenous campaigner Jack Beetson to address the issue of very low literacy levels in Aboriginal adults.

"We're committed to eliminating Indigenous illiteracy. It is our strong view that the Literacy For Life Foundation and the work of Jack Beetson is Australia's best chance to make this right. As Australians we all need to get behind it," said Mark and Evette Moran.

Multiplex faced many complexities during construction including the excavation of 65,000m3 of material, consisting of sand and stone, without impacting surrounding neighbours. Challenges also included incorporating a number of significant value engineering initiatives such as moving away from centralised mechanical plant which allowed a roof top penthouse apartment to be built in its place, amalgamating suites to create larger apartments, and providing state of the art aged care facilities without an institutional feel.

During construction 14,000 cubic metres of concrete was poured, 1,500 tonnes of reinforcement was put in place and 35,000 square metres of formwork has been used to create the structure.