VMCH (Villa Maria Catholic Homes) has received Council approval from the City of Boroondarra for a new 1.6ha premium retirement village at Kew, in Melbourne’s inner suburbs after two years of community consultation.

The new village on Studley Park Road will feature 108 luxury apartments, as well as amenities, green spaces, and a public café; VMCH is also planning to restore three heritage buildings.

“Everything from the precinct’s design through to the way we take it to market and the facilities and services we’ll deliver to residents will push the envelope for retirement living in Australia.

“We know from our research that people aged over 60 are not ‘retiring’ in the traditional sense. They are entering a thrilling new phase in life where they have more time to focus on themselves – they’re more active, more engaged and even more indulgent than generations before them,” she said.

VMCH Chief Property Officer Jason Uzice said the operator is “writing a bold new narrative” for retirement living.

“It’s not just about the architecture. Every aspect of the design is geared towards an active, social and low-maintenance lifestyle, while delivering the sense of community that is the hallmark of all VMCH projects,” he said.

At the 2016 Census, 36% of Kew’s population was over 50 years old.