Curtin Heritage Living engaged SPH Architecture + Interiors and Grounds Kent Architects as architects in association to master plan and design a new aged care and retirement living facility, overlooking the Indian Ocean at Cottesloe.

The site was occupied by Wearne Cottesloe – an existing 76-bed aged care home, in a highly-regarded heritage building – as such the masterplan and design process minimised disruption to residents, and then sensitively relocated them to the new Care Facility once it was complete.

As the first redevelopment of this kind in Western Australia, ‘Marine Views’ Care Facility and Ocean Rise Retirement Living Apartments aimed to establish a new benchmark for future seniors living projects.

As such, our client set out to create a high-end, resort style redevelopment – comprising 128 residential aged care beds and 76 independent living apartments – accompanied by a range of appealing amenities – including a café, artist studio, and allied health facility – which encourage community engagement and enhance the lives of residents.  

The design process was complicated by the site’s complex ownership structure; it is jointly owned by four local government authorities including Cottesloe, Claremont, Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove. To overcome these challenges, The design team carefully navigated and negotiated a difficult and comprehensive approvals process with the key client stakeholders.  

Then, construction of the new buildings by Built and Hames Sharley followed the sequence set out in the masterplan across four stages. The resulting facilities were so enthusiastically received by the local community that construction of stages two and three were combined.

In fact, the retirement living apartments in Stage 2 generated a waitlist before Stage 1 was complete; evidence of the great demand for this new offering that makes the most of its prime coastal location and ocean views.