Retirement living recognised in Innovation and Excellence awards

This year’s round of the prestigious property awards showcased 137 finalists of “superior” examples of iconic projects in property development and investment across a broad range or sectors and design disciplines, and saw the announcement of 20 category winners.

Mbark Pty Ltd’s semi-rural retirement living development on the outskirts of Sydney, Wivenhoe Village, was one of the category winners, taking out the GHD Woodhead Award for Best Retirement Living Development.

Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison says Mbark, with its seven kilometres of walking trails and cycleways, woodland parks and onsite dams at Wivenhoe, showed “unwavering commitment” to a new housing model for people looking to downsize.

“Retirement living was initially not supported on the site, so Mbark needed a clear vision to gain the support of local and state planning authorities,” Mr Morrison explains.

“This visionary approach provides new housing options to people who have lived on acreages and larger lots and want to downsize without losing privacy and space.”

Fellow awards head, RLB Managing Director NSW Matthew Harris, reiterated just how deserving Wivenhoe and Mbark is of the award.

“Wivenhoe’s motto is ‘retirement without compromise’, and this has undoubtedly been delivered,” he says.

“The judges were impressed with an innovative retirement village that provides private, luxurious and independent lifestyle connected to its local community.”

A full list of winners from the 2018 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards is available online.