Stage one of Rockhampton Benevolent Living’s $47 million redevelopment now complete

The amazing new residential facility in Rockhampton will be officially opened on Saturday. Take a tour through the complex here.

The final touches are being put on The Terraces development at Rockhampton’s Benevolent Living ahead of its official opening on Saturday, July 16.

Construction began on the West Street site in April last year by Hutchinson Builders.

The works included a new multi-storey residential care building with 36 suites and one-bedroom apartments suitable for married couples.

The building has stunning views of the city and the Berserker Ranges.

A one-bedroom apartment at The Terraces at Benevolent Living. It is the first aged care facility to offer rooms for married couples.

The dining area at The Terraces.

One of the main features of the redevelopment is the Long Gallery, an on-site art gallery.

The inaugural exhibition of the gallery is titled The CQ Collective and features pieces from artists with a tie to the Central Queensland community, including Ariella Anderson, Michelle Black, Derek Lamb, Nellie Lovegrove, Anitha Menon, Gail Meyer, Yvonne Moloney-Law, Emma Ward, Belynda Waugh and Veronika Zeil.

There is also an artists’ room fitted out with epoxy flooring and stainless steel sinks for art workshops.

“The positive impact of art and culture on psychosocial wellbeing and the evidence of its effect on healing and pain management, socialisation and cognitive function is persuasive and validated,” CEO Alison Moss said.

The Wintergarden cinema has been aptly named after Rockhampton's historic Wintergarden cinema. Sessions are hosted during the week for residents, and even included the State of Origin on Wednesday night. It is also used as the Chapel and for services.

There is also a cinema, which was a hive of activity this week as residents watched the State of Origin.

The cinema room also transforms into a chapel.

The new hair salon has a very contemporary, tropical feel.

There is also a hair salon and a cafe, named Cafe 1866, after the year when the original Benevolent Society was founded by 10 women out of the Rockhampton School of Arts building.

The Terraces is stage one of Benevolent Living’s two-stage $47 million redevelopment.

“This is a completely new accommodation option for seniors in Central Queensland, not to mention Australia’s first seniors living community with an on-site art gallery - we really are transforming aged care as you know it,” Ms Moss said.

“We are thrilled to be able to share our vision with the community and we are excited to be able to offer any interested parties the opportunity to experience our arts themed seniors living spaces first-hand.”

Stage two will see the houses demolished to make way for a five-storey building with 40 independent living apartments.

OPEN DAY

Benevolent Living, West Street, The Range

Saturday July 16, from 10am

Tour the new residential care building

Cafe 1866 open

View the inaugural exhibition, The CQ Collective in The Long Gallery