UrbanLife Files $105m Retirement Village Plans

UrbanLife Australia has filed plans for a “state-of-the-art” 285-unit retirement village in the Melbourne suburb of Altona North. 

Ratio Consultants on behalf of UrbanLife Australia Pty Ltd lodged the $105-million plans with Hobsons Bay City Council last year.

Those original plans for 274a Millers Road, Altona North were downsized after recent consultations, offering 285 units rather than 326.

Associated support services in the plans include a restaurant, community centre, church and a childcare centre associated with the Greek community on the adjoining properties. 

Moull Murray Architects’ plans detail five buildings across the 2.16ha site.

Building A would consist of a 272sq m restaurant, and 61 apartments—six one bedroom, 43 two and 12 three-bedroom units. 

The unit mix in Buildings B and C would be 57 two-bedroom and 5 three-bedroom apartments, while Buildings D and E comprise40 units each—four one, 32 two and four three-bedroom layouts. 

Buildings A to D will sit above a basement car parking for 268 car spaces.

The plans aim to ensure a mix of unit styles and sizes, recreation facilities including a pool, gym and hairdressers as well as communal gardens.

“The intention of the proposal is to provide a high-quality residential environment that will be attractive to retirees looking to downsize,” according to Ratio. 

“The proposed development of a retirement village provides an opportunity for residents of Hobsons Bay to age-in-place within their community in a location advantaged by access to services and transport options.”

UrbanLife has secured other sites in Victoria for its luxury over-55s apartment results, including one in Footscray City, a project in Vermont South and another in Upper Ferntree Gully in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.