Senior-friendly accommodation an opportunity for apartment developers

BRISBANE’s potential apartment oversupply could be turned into an opportunity for savvy developers.

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BRISBANE’s much-speculated high-rise apartment boom may be looking at a long-term seniors future.

Architects say with some design changes many multi-residential developments could cater for a wide-ranging demographic – from Gen Y to over-85s.

Grey Space principal Caroline Treacy said with apartment oversupply concerns there was an opportunity for developers to review their plans to ensure the long-term flexibility of their buildings.

“There are myriad things which can be done, but it’s very site and design-specific and that’s where we come into the picture,” she said.

“We need to spend a little bit more time on analysing the design of these dwellings in the context of making them more liveable in the long term.”

Ms Treacy said simple changes such as wider doorways and passageways, eliminating steps in showers and other parts of the apartment, and ensuring universal design features in kitchens, bedroom and other areas would ensure the owner or tenant was able to “age in place” for a longer period of time.

Grey Space principal Caroline Treacy says the Brisbane apartment boom is an opportunity for long-term seniors accommodation.

More complex design features such as intergenerational areas, car parking, rubbish storage and delivery areas could also be considered.

Ms Treacy said high-rise apartment buildings were becoming a more important part of Brisbane’s dwelling stock, while there was increasing pressure to cater for an ageing population.

According to Queensland Treasury forecasts, the over 65 population in Queensland will reach up to 1.4 million by 2036, and be between two million and 2.6 million in 2061.

Those 85 and over made up 1.6 per cent of the population in 2011 and are projected to reach 3.2 per cent and 3.5 per cent by 2036, and between 5.8 per cent and 6.1 per cent by 2061.

Ms Treacy said apartment design changes was “about the sustainability of the development”.

“People don’t want to go into aged care but at the same time if there’s no shower step or a wider door to get an ambulance stretcher into the kitchen that’s future proofing their home for them,” she said.

“It’s a risk minimisation approach which accepts universal design and allows these homes to be accessible and serviceable for an ageing population.”