A residential seniors' complex with a price tag of $300 million has received the green light for development on the former TAFE site in Charlestown, New South Wales.

Located at 27 Tiral Street, this housing project is specifically designed for seniors and will offer one and two-bedroom independent living units, residential apartments, and assisted living options. The non-profit organization Uniting will provide services for the residents. Plus Architecture and Arcadia have collaborated on the design, resulting in a compound comprising four separate buildings, ranging in height from 5 to 14 storeys.

To promote interaction, enhance quality of life, and improve physical and mental well-being, the complex will boast a range of amenities. These include a hair salon, public open spaces, a pool, a clubhouse with function space, a landscaped rooftop with BBQ area, outdoor seating and dining areas, a café, walking trails, landscaped gardens, multi-faith spaces, a wellness center, and visiting rooms for healthcare professionals.

The facade will combine glazed and brick features in various configurations and shades, creating a harmonious blend with the local surroundings. The buildings' design maximizes exposure to sunlight through a stepped form and breakup of mass across the site.

Emphasizing resident well-being, the project incorporates biophilic design principles, establishing private and public open spaces, a dedicated and secure dementia garden, and visual connections to the outdoors through glazed openings.

The residences have been meticulously planned to facilitate "aging in place," ensuring that the dwellings can be gradually adapted and retrofitted to meet the evolving needs of the residents as they age.

This development holds significance as it is the first time the NSW Government has granted State Significant Development Approval (SSDA) for a seniors' living proposal under the recently amended Housing State Environmental Planning Policy. This policy enables certain developments to undergo an expedited planning process.

Simon Furness, the director of property and housing at Uniting, highlighted the growing demand for senior housing options in the Charlestown and Lake Macquarie region. With nearly one in three people in Lake Macquarie aged over 55, and a projected 30% increase in the number of people aged 65 and over in the next two decades, the need for such facilities is evident.

The development site is located in close proximity to a $30 million health hub currently under construction on Smith Street. The hub, developed by GPV Property, is set to house a GP clinic, pharmacy, private hospital beds, and other medical services.

The tender process for the seniors' living precinct is expected to commence in early 2024, with the aim of appointing a construction company by late 2024. Construction is slated to begin in early 2025.