Seniors Housing & Healthcare Trends

LOS ANGELES: A gaming club has revamped a key site to include a cafe, restaurant, bar and bowling club beneath new seniors housing apartments.

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Waverley Bowling Club site is just months away from completion.

The development, undertaken through a partnership between Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club and Mirvac, includes two new bowling greens, a restaurant, bar and cafe alongside a 55-apartment complex.

Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club lodged the plans with Waverley Council in 2018 for the partial retention and reuse of the bowling clubhouse and the construction of four buildings, ranging between three and six storey consisting of 55 seniors units and facilities.

The development application outlined plans for a new registered clubhouse and two bowling greens, as well as two basement levels for 149 cars, a gym and swimming pool.

The plans were approved by the Land and Environment Court in 2019 after the court determined amendments to reduce the height of some buildings, increase its setbacks from the road along with other design changes, were sufficient.

Mirvac began construction on the on the project in April 2021, and this week opened the doors to a completed display residence, showcasing the 55 luxury apartments and penthouses across four buildings, as well as a resident-only wellness centre comprising a 20m indoor lap pool, treatment and steam rooms, gym and yoga and stretching space.

The development, known as ‘The Langlee’, has been pitched as “exclusively for those aged 55 and above”, with Mirvac general manager of residential development NSW Toby Long saying the apartments have targeted “downsizers” looking to “embark on their next chapter.”

After sales off the plan began in 2022, Mr Long said Mirvac had seen interest in the remaining apartments.

Sydney Roosters and Easts Group CEO Joe Kelly said he felt the partnership to re-envision the former bowling club site had been a success.

“As one of the oldest and certainly proudest bowlos in the country, it was imperative to bring a new lease of life to the site,” Mr Kelly said.

He said while a raft of bowling clubs had sold off assets in recent years, the club felt the revamped outdoor bowling greens and facility would meet the needs of the community along with those of private residents.

“We are only one of a handful of clubs in NSW that have incorporated a brand new championship outdoor bowling facility into a new redevelopment,” Mr Kelly said.

“While other clubs have been selling off their bowling greens, we are proud to honour the sites rich history by prioritising this important element.”

Waverley Greens, the new name given to the Waverley Bowling Club by Easts is expected to open to open to the public in late August 2023.