Victorian Government investment delivers a state-of-the-art facility for older Victorians.
Written by: Stephanie Loria, Access Consultant
Forming part of the existing Kingston Centre in Cheltenham, a new community-focused aged care facility has been completed—delivering inclusive, best-practice care for older Victorians. Backed by a $139.6 million investment from the Victorian Government, this 150-bed development is now complete and soon to be operational, with services delivered by Monash Health.
Designed by Clarke Hopkins Clarke’s Health and Seniors Living and Care teams and delivered by builder Icon, the new development has been designed to support residents with a range of complex care needs while enabling them to remain close to their families as their care requirements change over time.
Architecture & Access were engaged by Clarke Hopkins Clarke at the commencement of the project and delivered accessibility advice from the Master planning stage in late 2021 through to the end of construction in March 2025.e
With accessibility and wellbeing at its core, the facility offers a home-like setting where residents are provided with single rooms with private ensuites to promote dignity and independence.
The centre includes ten accessible sole occupancy units with attached accessible ensuites, ten bariatric rooms with attached ensuites and four sets of twin rooms with attached ensuites. These rooms are grouped into small, household-style communities that promote familiarity, autonomy, and a strong sense of belonging. Common areas—including community rooms, a reflection space and Cafe—encourage interaction between residents, families, and the broader community.
Within the communal areas, accessible kitchens with lower bench heights and open knee clearance for wheelchair access are provided.
The design emphasises inclusivity and sensory wellbeing. Open-area views, generous natural light, and seamless access to terraces and gardens provide calming and therapeutic environments. Navigation throughout the building is intuitive and barrier-free, supporting people with mobility challenges, sensory differences, and cognitive conditions like dementia.
This development marks the third stage of the Modernisation of Metropolitan Melbourne Public Sector Residential Aged Care Strategy, a Victorian Government initiative focused on delivering contemporary, dementia-friendly aged care that supports mental health, inclusivity, and the evolving needs of ageing Victorians.
