Best in class

Woods Bagot has designed what may well be Australia’s ultimate retirement living precinct for the “Led Zeppelin generation” with expansive gardens, stunning architecture, luxurious residences and five-star facilities.

St. Clare – redesigning retirement living

ResidentialIn Progress

AU

St. Clare is a $250 million premium retirement living precinct being developed by for-purpose organisation VMCH that covers a 1.4-hecatre site located in the heart of Kew, a well-established and leafy suburb in Melbourne’s inner east.

Created for the ‘over 55s’ generation wanting to downsize to a residence retaining the characteristics and stylistic qualities of Kew, St. Clare will set new standards for retirement living when complete in 2026.

It will comprise 104 luxury apartments, feature the restoration of three existing heritage buildings and include spectacular amenities and expansive green spaces. 

Among the residents’ facilities are shared and private dining rooms, a wood panelled library, pool, gym, greenhouse, potting shed, community gardens, a public and private café, billiards room, massage suites, arts and craft studio, village green, chapel, cinema and wellness studio.

Project details

Woods Bagot has taken a considered and holistic approach to the project, underpinned by three key beliefs:

– To embrace the heritage character of one of the few places in Australia that demonstrates Arts and Craft in its built fabric.

– To explore the contemporary direction of retirement living that creates wellness and a true sense of community.

– To celebrate craftsmanship, the inherent beauty of the material, the importance of nature as inspiration, and the value of simplicity and utility.

The site is unique in its scale, proportion and access with expansive street frontages.

Woods Bagot’s design approach has been to create multiple buildings as a series of pavilions that mediate the undulating topography and existing trees of the site to create a village like scale and community.

The Building Design Principles speak to the vision for high quality architecture, in response to the surrounding context – an affluent, established neighbourhood with many parks and well-built character homes.

Masonry brickwork of varying tones, articulated by metal work in contrasting colours, are the predominant materials, offering variety and individual building identity.

They were selected to ensure longevity while offering residents, many of whom will come from the surrounding area, a sense of home.

Location
Melbourne, Australia
Client
VMCH
Size
32,000 sqm
344,445 sf
Expected Completion
2024
Collaborators
Oculus (Landscape)
Residential projects from Woods Bagot