Lifestyle Communities hopes to begin work on its Woodlea resort development immediately after it was given a planning permit by Victoria Investments and Properties and Mirvac, who are behind the master-planned community in Aintree, 29km west of Melbourne CBD.
Lifestyle Woodlea will feature 181 brand-new homes designed for rightsizers. The Clubhouse, according to Lifestyle Communities, promises to be the leading design of any in the nation, providing a striking statement.
Woodlea is currently home to 9,500 residents and upon completion, will effectively be a ‘mini-city in the suburbs’, with approximately 20,000 residents. Lifestyle Communities will build its over-55s community in stages.
“There are retirement units within the surrounding area but there is nothing of this size or calibre that integrates different living options within the same precinct, catering to working, semi-retired and retired downsizers,” said Woodlea Project Director Matthew Dean.
“The Lifestyle Communities site will offer a residential offering to cater to downsizers looking to maintain healthy social connections, while also living in a high-quality community. It will also assist members of the community to maintain close living connections with older family members, collectively improving their health and wellbeing.”
James Kelly, Co-Founder and Managing Director said Lifestyle Communities is intent on creating a precinct that aligns with the wider ideals of Woodland and downsizers.
"Lifestyle Communities has a firm commitment to creating a community that’s both sympathetic to the surrounding environs of Woodlea and fit for purpose for local downsizers. We’re especially keen to ensure we become part of the fabric of the Woodlea success story, with homes and facilities that complement those already in place.”
Mirvac CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said in February that she is looking to “press the button” to build and operate land lease developments. However, the decision to hand the site to Lifestyle Communities shows she is keeping her powder dry for the time being.
Such a move by Mirvac would see the company follow the faith of Stockland, Ingenia Communities, Lifestyle Communities, Aspen Group, Palm Lake Resort, Serenitas and Hometown Australia.
