Bold plans unveiled for new aged care site in central Sydney – a $77 million project has been lodged by RSL LifeCare to transform city block
Published on 28 January 2026
As Australia’s boomer cohort ages into the sector, industry experts and advocates have intensified their calls for beds being built. With some upper estimates ranging to 13,000 new beds per annum to meet projected growth figures, cross-sector leadership is looking to meet need through expansion and new capital projects. However, as funding limitations, and private equity streams prove to be challenges in breaking ground in new projects, provider leadership are increasingly looking to new business models to get projects over the line. Partnerships and land deals may yet become a new strategy in seeing market share growth for providers. A new major seniors living complex proposal Sydney, one of the world’s most expensive cities for land, is set to be closely examined by industry actors. The new proposal by RSL LifeCare on St Vincents and Sisters of mercy land could showcase how new strategies for bed builds and capital projects play out.
Sizable application
The development team at RSl LifeCare had a busy leadup to Christmas, on the 18th of December 2025, a significant application was lodged through the NSW planning portal. Due to its size and scope, the application was lodged through the major projects division of the state government.
The development application is for a seniors living facility, set in the heart of Sydney, NSW, in the north shore suburb of Wollstonecraft.
Half a residential block is set to be raized to make way for the development, with six detached residential houses being demolished. Directly opposite Mater Hospital, addresses 17-21 Gillies Street and 20-24 Sinclair Street, and their respective houses would be removed, and according to the application, the site would then undergo a substantial bulk excavation phase of construction.
Within the development application the scope of the build starts to emerge, across six residential lots, a construction of 7-8 storeys would be erected. The intended use of the facility has been officially named as being a mix of independent living units, as well as a residential aged care facility, complete with basement car parking for staff, residents and visitors.
Ownership
The ownership of the sizable site, that of 3,173 square-meter parcel in central Sydney, comprised of 6 lots, will remain in the hands of its original owners. According to the application, the owners are jointly, Sisters of Mercy North Sydney and St Vincents, both faith-based not-for-profit groups.
The other half of the block is Mater Hospital Sydney, which is part of St Vincent’s Health Australia, while being founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1906.
The anticipated cost for the build has been valued at $76,623,315.
Plan orientation
Seeking to have multiple entrances to mitigate congestion, the application shows that frontages will be on Rocklands lane, in a north facing orientation, as well as east on Sinclair street, Rocklands road to the south, and Gillies street to the west.
Currently within the zoned R4 of Sydney, that is High Density Residential, development experts see the project likely to benefit from Transit Orientated Planning Provisions status. Being within 500 metres of the new Crows Nest Metro Station, the height of the building, that of a predicted eight storeys, is within permissible zoning metrics.
To mitigate overcrowding due to increased car traffic, the application includes the design of 61 car spots within the basement and ground-level parking settings.
New beds
The plan outlines that the new construction is planned to bring 53 Independent Living Units and 27 residential aged care beds to Sydney’s aged care capacity, alongside specialised communal and support areas for residents, visitors and staff.
With not-for-profit provider RSL LifeCare leading the application and intending to be the responsible organisation for the operational management of the aged care offerings, the progress of this application, from planning lodgement, to breaking ground, and first resident, will be keenly observed and anticipated.