The Village Manly, a retirement community planned for Brisbane’s eastern coastal suburb, will be relaunched with new designs featuring two six-storey buildings, providing increased housing options for retirees in the local area.
In 2021, Anglicare Southern Queensland and the Village Retirement Group announced the initial plans for The Village Manly, proposing two medium-rise buildings. These were to be located alongside the E.M. Tooth Residential Aged Care home and the heritage-listed Lota House, adding historical significance to the development site. However, updated plans now include 76 three-bedroom apartments across the two buildings, with construction expected to commence by January 2025 and a completion date set for June 2026.
Community Impact
The project, located in Manly, roughly 20 kilometres from Brisbane’s central business district, aims to provide housing solutions for an ageing population in a well-connected coastal suburb.
The Village Manly is designed to offer modern housing while promoting a strong community ethos by including shared spaces on the ground floor. These community spaces are intended to foster social connection among residents, ensuring the village offers independent living options and supports residents in maintaining an active and engaged lifestyle.
The development’s proximity to the historic Lota House adds a unique connection to the area’s heritage, offering future residents the opportunity to live near one of the region’s important historical landmarks. In addition to providing more retirement living options, the project is expected to bring economic and social benefits to the Manly area by drawing new residents into the community and creating local job opportunities during construction and beyond.
Revised Plans and Local Input
In October 2023, the Village Retirement Group sought amendments to the original approval granted by the Queensland Planning and Environment Court in December 2019. The revised plans now include six-storey buildings instead of the previously proposed four-storey design, accommodating more residents.
Local residents and stakeholders have raised both concerns and support for the revised plans. Some in the community have expressed concerns about the scale of the development, while others recognise the importance of providing more housing options for older residents in Manly.
Anglicare Southern Queensland emphasised that the new design aims to balance the need for more residential units with maintaining the character and environment of the local area, including the preservation of nearby Lota House.
Partnership History and Future Prospects
This marks the second partnership between Anglicare Southern Queensland and The Village Retirement Group. Their first joint project, The Village Taigum, is located in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. Both organisations have expressed their commitment to delivering high-quality retirement living options that benefit not only residents but also the broader community.
Anglicare Southern Queensland has also been involved in a separate retirement village development in Nundah, consisting of detached and attached units. The project highlights their long-term goal of providing housing and aged care options across various Brisbane suburbs.
The Village Manly, anticipated to start in early 2025, aims to address the increasing demand for retirement living in coastal Brisbane. It will offer future residents a balance of independence, community, and access to nearby services while maintaining a connection to the area’s historical roots through Lota House.
Project Timeline of The Village Manly
- August 2021: Initial plans for The Village Manly were announced by Anglicare Southern Queensland and the Village Retirement Group. The original design included two medium-rise buildings of four storeys each.
- December 2019: The Queensland Planning and Environment Court granted approval for the project.
- Late 2021: The original expected start date for construction, which was delayed.
- October 2023: The Village Retirement Group sought to modify the approved plans to increase the size of the buildings from four storeys to six storeys.
- October 2024: Announcement of the project’s relaunch, with updated plans for two six-storey buildings featuring 76 three-bedroom apartments.
- January 2025: Anticipated commencement of construction for the revised project.
- June 2026: Expected completion date for the construction of The Village Manly.
Published 22-Oct-2024
