The size of new villages is increasing rapidly.

Historically all villages are ‘horizontal’ greenfield developments with the private villages averaging 120 units while not for profit operators developing smaller villages, around 80 units.

This is changing. For instance this week  seasoned village developer Peter Puljich’s Living Gems submitted plans for 223 village homes at Highfields, 14 km north of Toowoomba (QLD). This is his ninth and largest village.

Over in Perth, a new developer, Grant Tucker is battling to get approval for 200 units in the Swan Valley adjacent to Houghton Vineyards.

Stockland is building 200 village homes in its planned estates.

Serious medium rise metro villages are now emerging. Last week we discussed Minda in SA building multiple building up to nine stories on one beachside site and Greg Poole is building three village towers up to nine stores delivering 450 village units plus 300 care beds in Beenleigh, QLD.

Australian Unity is building its nine story Rathdowne Place in inner Melbourne.

Mark Moran has a $140M multi story village and care development in Sydney.

Paul Sadler’s Presbyterian Care is redeveloping Sydney's old Scottish Hospital with an end value of $180M.

With this comes new service providors. Richard Crookes Constructions has engaged veteran village and care executives Rodney Burger and Martin Patience to head up a new village and aged care arm. Berger was part of the ownership team of specialist builder Grindley and Patience was Grindley's CEO.

Richard Crookes Constructions is one of the country’s most successful builders and a family company; it is making a major commitment to our sectors. Check their web site - http://www.richardcrookes.com.au/.

Rodney Berger will be at our LEADERS SUMMIT. Contact him at [email protected].