Inner-city Wollongong is set to get an influx of senior citizens, with construction of the ‘Parkside’ development scheduled to be completed in early 2018.
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Retirement housing group IRT began construction of the new eight-level independent living development mid-last year.
The $35 million Parkside building will house 75 two and three-bedroom apartments over six upper levels, and is being constructed next to the organisation’s existing Howard Court apartment building at the corner of Stewart and Kembla streets.
IRT plans to rename both buildings to ‘Pioneer Place’, reflecting their proximity to Wollongong’s historic former cemetery, Pioneer Park.
Construction is by Sydney-based Infinity Constructions Group.
IRT hosted a topping out ceremony atop the rooftop of Parkside at IRT Pioneer Place on Wednesday.
IRT’s acting chief executive Sam McFarlane said they were on track to complete construction of Parkside in early 2018.
“Most of the 75 apartments have been sold off the plan and we hope to welcome our first residents around April,” he said.
Mr McFarlane said the ceremony sought to allow IRT to thank its friends, partners and current residents.
“The residents of Howard Court at IRT Pioneer Place have been incredibly supportive and accommodating,” he said.
“It’s not easy living next door to a building site, but their patience will be rewarded with a brand new residents’ lounge, community hall, café, landscaped courtyard and covered walkway to neighbouring Pioneer Park.”
IRT communities CEO Stig Andersen said 62 of the apartments have been sold thus far.
“That tells you about the demand for the type of product, this type of independent retirement living, in the community that we’re building,” he said.
“There’s a focus on ensuring that we have connected city living, so we also want to invite the outside community in.
“There will be clearly be private spaces for the residents that are buying in here, but for example, we’ll have a café on the ground floor that will be open to the public.”
Mr Andersen said prices “started at under $500,000, but the more expensive units are north of a million dollars”.
Mr Andersen said most of the incoming residents were from the Illawarra.
