St. Clare, Kew Reaches Practical Completion

Delivered ahead of programme — a market-maker redefining luxury retirement living

VMCH has achieved practical completion of St. Clare, Kew — 103 premium apartments and community spaces delivered ahead of programme after a five-year, full-lifecycle effort.

Positioned on a 1.4-hectare estate, St. Clare blends restored heritage buildings, expansive landscaping and refined contemporary design. The result is a new benchmark for premium seniors living in Melbourne’s inner east.

Project Significance

St. Clare represents a contemporary, high-quality approach to seniors living, tailored for discerning residents. It combines significant heritage restoration with new architecture and an exceptional landscape and amenity offering. The development is a genuine market-maker for VMCH and the broader Melbourne retirement sector.

Stonebank’s Role

Stonebank partnered with VMCH across the entire project lifecycle — from early visioning and design through procurement, construction delivery and operational readiness. Acting as both Project Manager and Principal’s Representative, Stonebank provided unified leadership, commercial clarity and strong delivery oversight.

Early Advisory and Governance

From the outset, Stonebank helped define the project’s direction, risks and decision pathways. This included establishing a clear brief, designing VMCH’s risk-based governance framework and chairing project control groups to maintain alignment throughout the development.

Design Leadership and Consultant Coordination

Stonebank coordinated all design disciplines through concept, schematic and developed design stages. The team resolved critical building interfaces, managed risk and ensured the design remained aligned with VMCH’s long-term operational goals.

Procurement Strategy and Market Engagement

Stonebank led the procurement strategy, including contractor market scan, EOI, tender and BAFO negotiations. Extensive early detailing, value engineering and commercial testing delivered competitive pricing and protected VMCH’s quality objectives.

Construction Quality Advisory

Stonebank acted as VMCH’s Principal’s Construction Advisor, delivering embedded technical oversight throughout construction. This included regular site inspections, waterproofing and façade workshops, prototyping, benchmarking and detailed management of design changes within the D&C framework. The focus was on reducing latent defects and ensuring strong long-term asset performance.

Keeping the Project Moving

Across 2020–2025, Stonebank provided programme oversight, authority and stakeholder management, sales/marketing/operations interface support and continuous risk and opportunity assessments. This consistency helped maintain momentum through a complex and challenging delivery environment.

A Collaborative Outcome

The successful delivery of St. Clare reflects a strong collaboration between VMCH, Woods Bagot, Hacer Group, specialist consultants and many delivery partners. Stonebank extends thanks to all contributors who helped bring this project to life.

A New Standard for Retirement Living

With practical completion now achieved, St. Clare is ready for residents to move in and for VMCH to activate operations. The development sets a new benchmark for quality, comfort and design leadership in the retirement living sector.

— Steve Rodd, Director, Stonebank

Photography: Jonno Rodd

www.jonnorodd.com