Uniting Leichhardt Wins National Award for Excellence in Seniors Living

We are proud to announce that our work on Uniting Leichhardt, which includes Hawkins Place and McRae-McMahon Place in Sydney’s inner west, has been named Development of the Year: Retirement, Aged Care and Seniors Living at The Urban Developer Awards for Industry Excellence 2025.

Delivered in collaboration with Uniting NSW.ACT and Growthbuilt the interconnected developments represent a new retirement living model that supports independence, dignity, and social connection in a walkable, well-connected urban environment.

“Each apartment has been carefully – and beautifully – designed, with high-quality finishes and an open-plan layout. The landscaped gardens and lovely communal spaces are where residents can gather with family and friends.”
— Simon Furness, Director of Property and Housing, Uniting NSW.ACT

Celebrating Excellence in the Built Environment

The Urban Developer Awards recognise industry-leading people, projects and initiatives across Australasia. This year marked the program’s biggest, with over 200 finalists across 27 categories.

“Each year, not only do the number of nominations rise, so too does the calibre of the nominations themselves,” said Adam Di Marco, Founder and CEO of The Urban Developer.
“The quality of the projects, people and programs our sector produces yearly is incredible.”

A New Model for Seniors Living

Uniting Leichhardt offers an innovative response to the evolving needs of older Australians. It combines affordable and independent living with purpose-built community infrastructure. Spanning two sites, the developments feature a range of apartment types, integrated wellness amenities, and communal facilities designed to support ageing in place.

The project features smart technology, seniors-specific fitness facilities, rooftop gardens, and shared open spaces, all designed to promote social connection, health, and well-being.

The judging panel commended the project’s strong uptake, inclusive design, and clear alignment with an ageing urban population’s housing and well-being needs.

Hawkins Place – Norton Street

Located on a sensitive urban infill site, Hawkings Place delivers:

• 49 independent living apartments, including 8 affordable units
• Ground-level retail frontage and a flexible clubhouse with lounge, fireplace, kitchen and dining
• Landscaped courtyard and rooftop terrace with 270° views of Greater Sydney
• Robust materiality and self-finished surfaces designed to age in place

🔗Read more

McRae-McMahon Place – Marion Street

Set across two six-storey buildings, this development features:

• 65 independent living apartments, including 10 affordable units
• Landscaped village gardens with water features and communal seating
• A resident club, indoor swimming pool, and rooftop open space
• Apartments with generous layouts, natural ventilation, and views toward the Harbour Bridge

🔗Read more

Our Role

Our Living and Lifestyle team provided full design and construction (D&C) services across both projects, working closely with Uniting NSW.ACT and Growthbuilt to navigate a changing regulatory environment and deliver high-quality outcomes under the Design and Building Practitioners (DBP) Act.

Key services included:

• Development Application modifications to enhance buildability and compliance
• Interior design concepts for lobbies, communal areas and clubrooms
• Apartment layout refinements to improve functionality and accessibility
• Landscape design for shared courtyards and rooftop spaces
• Strategic documentation and planning support (S4.55)
• Despite industry-wide challenges during and after the pandemic, both developments were completed and achieved strong market demand.

🔗Read more about The Urban Developer Awards

Setting a New Standard in Urban Retirement Living

The two Uniting Leichhardt residences exemplify how thoughtful design, robust delivery, and a shared commitment to community can transform the experience of ageing in our cities. They are places for seniors to live and thrive, with architecture, interiors, and landscape working together to support well-being, inclusion, and a strong sense of home.