World-class retirement precinct rises to the top

Catholic Health Australia member organisation, VMCH, has celebrated a significant milestone in its highly-anticipated, world-class retirement living precinct, St. Clare in Melbourne.

A Topping Out Ceremony was held at the landmark Studley Park site in Kew on 5 December, marking the completion of the frame of all four residential buildings. This is a celebratory rite of construction, acknowledging the hard work of those who contributed.

The $250m project will offer a new standard of living for over 55s within its 103 premium apartments, with innovative architecture, expansive green spaces and breath-taking views.

Around 80 guests attended the event, including representatives from builder partner Hacer Group, architects Woods Bagot, the St. Clare project team, members of the VMCH Board and Executive, Mayor of Boroondara Cr Sophie Torney, and the Member for Kew, Jess Wilson. Wurundjeri elder Colin Hunter performed a smoking ceremony, smouldering native plants to cleanse the space, as a way of connecting with and acknowledging the Aboriginal heritage of the land being built on.

VMCH CEO Sonya Smart said the organisation was delighted with Hacer’s construction progress of St. Clare, on track for completion at the end of 2025. She added St. Clare has broken all records for retirement off-plan sales, with 70 per cent of the apartments – which range in price from $1.3m to $4.7m – now reserved.

“St. Clare is not only the biggest project our organisation has undertaken in more than a century, but it’s tipped to be the most premium precinct in its class in Victoria.”

Ms Smart added the project meets a vital gap in the local market for premium retirement living.

“By 2035, 17 per cent of people in the local catchment will be aged over 65, with many seeking accommodation designed for ageing in place.

VMCH Board Chairman Julien O’Connell AO, who is also a Director on the Catholic Health Australia Board, said retirement living projects like St. Clare helped VMCH to generate vital capital to deliver on its mission-based projects, such as affordable homes.

“I’d like to thank those future St. Clare residents, whose decision to make St. Clare home is a philanthropic one, leaving a lasting legacy for vulnerable people in our community.”

Boroondara Mayor, Cr Sophie Torney, described Boroondara as an “age-friendly city”.

“We recognise that retiring doesn’t mean missing out. You can still be active, socialise, connect with nature and learn new things. St. Clare will offer all these opportunities and more, with features that support positive ageing in place.”

At its peak, St. Clare is expected to generate over 300 jobs, and by its completion, more than 2,000 people will have contributed to various stages of the development – a big win for the economy.

St. Clare is expected to be completed in late 2025.