Green Light for RSL Club's $95m Transformation

The biggest RSL club on Sydney’s North Shore has been given the green light for a $95-million transformation to include luxury senior living.

After almost 10 years of planning, Club Willoughby will be demolished to make way for a three-storey club to include restaurants, a cafe, meeting spaces and a 500sq m function room.

The redevelopment, in partnership with Hyecorp Property Group, will also include 126 luxury apartments with 102 earmarked for over-55-year-olds, an aged care facility and a 406-space underground car park.

The new development will be called “Heart of Willoughby” and will provide a high-end seniors living complex complete with concierge, on-site management, daily activities, dining facilities, an indoor swimming pool, gym/pilates studio and onsite consulting rooms for a doctor and physiotherapist.

Club president Matt Vertzonis said the result would be a significant improvement to the amenity of the North Willoughby precinct after the lengthy planning and approval process.

“It has been a long road to get to this point, and there is still a lot of work needed to complete and occupy the new club premises … we are moving forward creating a special hub—a place where all residents can come together for celebrations, to share a meal or engage in community activity, while the outdoor space will provide an area for relaxation and reflection,” Vertzonis said.

“The new club and memorial park will continue the legacy of the Ex-Service members who originally founded the club in the late 1940s, for it to become an integral part of our local area and continue being a strong supporter of the many valuable community groups and causes in Willoughby-Chatswood.”

Managing director of Hyecorp Property Group Stephen Abolakian said the decision follows almost 10 years of planning with Club Willoughby to create a vision for the site that will benefit long-time patrons and the community.

“This is such an exciting project that provides both a sustainable future with modern facilities for Club Willoughby and excellent amenities for the Willoughby community—everyone will be able to come together and connect,” he said.

“An integral part of our planning was to provide high-quality living options allowing people to progress through various life stages and stay within a much-loved neighbourhood.”

The redevelopment is expected to begin later this year and will take about three years to complete.