Urban oasis slated for Canberran seniors

A new purpose-designed $65m housing plus commerical development in Canberra’s newest precinct targets active and connected urban-dwelling seniors.

Above: The  concept plan for ‘Goodwin Crace’

By Keryn Curtis

Canberra’s longest established aged care provider, Goodwin, has announced a new $65 million seniors independent living development in Canberra’s newest  ‘designed suburb’ of Crace.

The development will comprise around 140 units built to universal design principles, located in the centre of Crace’s urban precinct – adjacent to the suburb’s retail centre, scheduled to open next year.

As well as providing a selection of one, two and three bedroom ‘lifestyle apartments’, Goodwin’s 13,000 m2 development will include 600 m2 of commercial space that will provide both residents and the wider community with services and facilities to complement the commercial amenities being provided in the retail centre.

Goodwin CEO, Chris Lamont, says that unlike other independent living services operated by Goodwin in Canberra, the Crace development will be exclusively independent living units.

“We will offer our usual nurse call services and community care for those who require it but it will not be linked to a co-located residential care service,” said Mr Lamont. 

“It’s a very young, vibrant precinct, with predominantly young families and the emphasis is really on active ageing.  For example, it’s a great opportunity for older parents to live in the same community as their children and grandchildren where they can be independent but really connected to all the services they need. Everything will be in walking distance but there’s also good public transport right there.”

“With the 600 m2 of commercial space, we are hoping to have services such as a pharmacy, an optometrist and a physiotherapy practice to further support residents and other members of the local community.

Above: Goodwin CEO, Chris Lamont

While there is a GP practice 600 metres away from the centre, Lamont says they hope to be able to get a GP into their own building as well.  

“The idea is that Goodwin residents will be living right in the heart of this new community, not on the outskirts, with four levels of apartments and basement parking.  And all the essential services that seniors look for will be in the same block, if not in the same building.”  

The Goodwin development also includes a 600 m2 clubhouse on site with a gym and exercise room and space for parties and events with family and friends.  The adjacent retail and commercial centre for the Crace precinct will include a 1,500 m2 supermarket, a bus stop and other services.

All units are being offered under a loan/license scheme with a starting price of around $400 to $450,000.  The first stage is expected to commence construction in late June or early July this year.  

Lamont says that while the $65 million project was originally anticipated to be developed in three stages, there is a chance that it will be reduced to only two stages.

“We’ve had a very strong response from our radio and tv campaign which we put down to Goodwin’s reputation in the Canberra community. Over the years they’ve seen Goodwin learn and develop and the services improve; and they’ve heard their friends talk about the support they get there. 

“I think it’s been a combination of our reputation and also what they’ve seen with our new developments in Ainslie and Monash and our building award. We’ve become a bit of a Canberra icon,” he said.  

Tags: chris-lamont, crace, development, goodwin, goodwin-aged-care-services, ilu,

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