The Stockland retirement village at Ashfield, 10km from the Sydney CBD, was named the best Retirement Living development in the state at the 2017 Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW Awards for Excellence last week and also received the award for best National Seniors Living/Retirement Development by the Urban Taskforce last month.

One of the largest seniors’ community redevelopments in Australia, the project was lauded by the UDIA judges for the quality of its masterplan, which opened the formerly gated and walled development to the community.

Designed by award-winning architects Allen Jack + Cottier, the first two stages of The Residences are now complete and feature an innovative new 1,350 square metre Clubhouse with hotel-style facilities including a piano lounge, bar, billiards room, theatre, indoor heated swimming pool, gym, art studio, kitchen and multi-functional rooms, with interior design by Alexander & Co.

The first stages also include 97 independent living apartments across three buildings, a 133-bed Opal Aged Care facility, café, Village Green, community garden and the restoration of the heritage-listed chapel next to Glentworth House.

Kelly Miller, General Manager, Development, Retirement Living at Stockland, said The Residences at Cardinal Freeman was a great example of an existing retirement village being redeveloped with 180 residents still living onsite.

“This is a prime example of how existing retirement villages built 30 to 40 years ago can be successfully revitalised into thriving communities that are highly sought-after by the next generation of retirees,” she said.

“It is a contemporary, vertical village that allows inner city residents to continue enjoying the lifestyle they love while accessing more services, amenity and security than ever before.”