THE SKY'S the limit for a vertical retirement village in Queensland, which has taken home a national property industry award.
The Village Coorparoo was named best retirement living development at the 2017 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation awards.
The master planned retirement village with 217 two- and three-bedroom independent living units in a multi-level building just five kilometres from the Brisbane CBD picked up the GHD Woodhead Award for Best Retirement Living Development at the gala event in Sydney.
Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison said The Village Coorparoo "offers an attractive retirement living alternative for retirees who have spent their lives in the surrounding inner city areas.
"The Village Coorparoo has allowed local residents to remain close to their friends and families - with 90 per cent living within two kilometres of their former residences," he said.
"The village also provides flexible accommodation choices for older people with supported living options that mean they don't need to leave their community if their health needs change."
The Catholic Church's Xavier Hospital occupied the site for more than 60 years, but after relocating the buildings were abandoned.
The development team restored the heritage-listed hospital residence. The building's central hub contains communal facilities including a bistro, cafe, resident and guest lounges, billiards' room, club lounge, arts and crafts room, library, subterranean pool, cinema, outdoor kitchen and recreational terrace, bowling green and associated staff administration and facilities.
Rider Levett Bucknall has partnered with The Property Council of Australia to present the awards since their inception in 1982.
Rider Levett Bucknall's Queensland director David Stewart said the development has also regenerated the local area. "As some of the area's over-65s have moved into the village, younger families have been able to secure properties located close to the city. This has benefited local businesses and schools," he said.
The awards, held at at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, recognised winners across 20 categories of excellence.
Mr Morrison said the quality of entries was "astounding" and each of the 141 finalists provided lessons for the industry.
Economic Development Queensland's The Village Townsville was awarded the Gough Recruitment Award for Best Affordable Housing Development.
Stockland's Aura development on the Sunshine Coast was presented with the Frasers Property Australia Award for Project Innovation for an engagement program.
