Uniting Waverley Estate
Uniting Waverley Estate
Client:
Uniting
Location:
Sydney, New South Wales
Scale:
43,076sqm
Collaborators:
Welsh + Major, Arcadia, Yerrabingin
Contact Person:
Connie Argyrou
Architectus is playing a key role in the transformation of the Uniting Waverley Estate, destined to set a new precedent for seniors living within a health and wellness precinct.
The project involves the renewal of the War Memorial Hospital site in the eastern Sydney suburb of Waverley. It’s being reimagined as a connected, contemporary community for seniors, seamlessly integrating residential aged care, independent living, wellness services, the hospital and community infrastructure.
Spread across six new buildings from four to seven storeys high, the development includes a 105-bed residential aged care home, 231 independent living apartments with 1-3 bedroom layouts—including 23 affordable units—alongside car parking and the adaptive reuse of the site’s existing heritage buildings.
A vibrant community for ageing in place
Framed by restored gardens and heritage-listed architecture, the estate has been master planned to support ageing in place while honouring over a century of care delivered on the 43,000+ sqm site.
At its heart, the Uniting redevelopment is about creating a welcoming and vibrant community for residents that respects the site’s history while embracing the future.
The new design brings coherence to a previously fragmented estate, creating seamless continuity of living for seniors—from independent living to day centres, residential aged care with dementia support, and the adjoining rehabilitation hospital—delivering a holistic, community-focused model of care.
Preserving heritage buildings
The project preserves and celebrates four heritage-listed buildings—Ellerslie, Banksia, Wych Hazel, and the Church Street Cottages, through sensitive residential adaptive reuse designed by Welsh + Major.
The removal of non-significant structures will celebrate the Chapel and increase landscape amenity, opening up garden views and enhance pedestrian connectivity.
Grounded in place
Landscape is central to the design strategy, with public green spaces, sensory gardens, and social courtyards thoughtfully integrated throughout the site to support wellbeing, reflection, and connection.
Reflecting the richness of these open spaces, the design has been developed in close collaboration with landscape architects Arcadia, whose expertise has helped shape a vibrant and restorative environment.
Creating a place for healthy living and ageing, the master plan is structured around interconnected precincts: the Heritage Precinct, Street Precinct and the Corner Building. Together, they form a cohesive village that is grounded in place.
A layered, respectful approach
Uniting Waverley demonstrates how design can meaningfully respond to both the growing demand for seniors’ accommodation and aged care and the responsibility to preserve local heritage.
By layering old and new, care and community, history and contemporary living the project sets out to establish a new national benchmark for integrated seniors housing.
If the plans are approved, construction will be carefully staged to allow for the uninterrupted operation of War Memorial Hospital and essential health services throughout the build — ensuring the site continues to serve the community while shaping its future.
Architectural language
Across all buildings, the architectural language balances dignity, domesticity and urban clarity. A limited palette of natural stone, light-coloured brick and bronze cladding creates warmth and coherence, while dark, recessive upper levels reduce visual bulk and enhance proportions.
Entrances throughout the site are celebrated as moments of welcome and recognition, employing design gestures such as scooping, peeling and framing. These subtle moves reinforce intuitive wayfinding and a sense of belonging and ease.
In addition to generous solar access and efficient cross-ventilation, the development incorporates private outdoor retreats and a network of embedded, landscaped connections. Accessible pathways connect all buildings seamlessly to open space and communal areas.
Connections to Country
The design of Uniting Waverley is grounded in both social and environmental sustainability, and a deep respect for Country.
Sustainability initiatives include a geothermal system for heating and hot water, rainwater harvesting, passive storm water management, energy-efficient fittings, and native planting to support biodiversity. Materials were selected for durability, low embodied energy, and local sourcing.
In close collaboration with Yerrabingin and through First Nations-led consultations, the principles of a Connecting with Country Framework have been embedded throughout the site.
While Indigenous storytelling is expressed through the landscape, the architecture also reflects Country in quiet, restorative ways such as framed views to the sky connecting residents with seasonal light, the sun’s path, and the night sky.
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Client:
Uniting
Location:
Sydney, New South Wales
Scale:
43,076sqm
Collaborators:
Welsh + Major, Arcadia, Yerrabingin
Contact Person:
Connie Argyrou
