Three seniors could be seen abseiling down a 28-storey building in Sydney on Wednesday, as part of the grand opening for a new retirement village.
The new development in Epping, North Sydney offers independent apartments for seniors as an alternative to the traditional retirement home.
Known as ‘The Cambridge’, the development’s 28 storeys make it Australia’s tallest retirement village.
A crowd of onlookers, which included brand new residents of The Cambridge, watched on as the daredevilish opening event unfolded.
Seniors abseiled 28-storey as part of the grand opening of a retirement village. Picture: Supplied.
According to developers Levande Retirement Living, the stunt was performed to showcase that there is “plenty of life to be lived in retirement”.
Levande describe the new development as an “intergenerational precinct”, with apartments, residential aged care, a heritage-listed church and a primary school all on the same integrated site.
Levande CEO Kevin McCoy said The Cambridge was envisioned as being “more than just a building”.
“We wanted a community that would change the way people think about retirement living and that is what we’re showcasing here today with this daring abseil – life doesn’t stop in retirement,” he said.
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An exterior view of The in Epping, Sydney. Picture: Supplied.
Architecture firm Architectus designed the project, which offers 158 architect-designed independent living apartments from level five upwards.
This includes one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Within the complex is a fitness centre, heated indoor pool, resident-only clubhouse and bar, a library, a Gold Class-style cinema, hair salon, vegetable garden and even a workshed.
Mr McCoy called the development “a place where residents can thrive, make new friends, and where different generations mix”.
“We can’t wait to see this flourish,” he said.
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The building will be home to 158 units. Picture: Supplied.
The project is another development catering to retirees. Picture: Supplied.
Demand for independent housing for retirees continues to grow in line with Australia’s ageing population.
Between 2023 and 2025, the number of Australian retirees increased from 4.2m to 4.5m, according to the ABS.
Over 65s made up 16 per cent of Australia’s population in 2020, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
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