Perth-based aged care and retirement living operator Oryx Communities has officially opened The Melvista in Nedlands, located 7km west of Perth’s city centre, more than a decade after first securing the site.
The 80-bed home, built to the Small Household Model of care, has cost $80 million to complete – more than double the $35 million price tag originally expected in 2022 – following years of delays caused by labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and the need to change builders mid-project.
Managing Director and Co-founder Toby Browne-Cooper admits the road has been long, but says the result is “unparalleled.”
A key point of difference is pricing. Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) start at $950,000 and extend to $2.2 million – positioning The Melvista at the very top of Australia’s aged care market. The premium Penthouse Suites occupy Level 3 of the home exclusively, offering 42-43sqm plus expansive terraces, private living areas, tea preparation spaces and dual televisions.
Couples are also driving demand, with some securing both a large suite and an adjoining bedroom to create residences of more than 100sqm plus balconies – a scale rarely seen in aged care.
“We are confident there is no comparable aged care accommodation service in Australia,” Toby told The Weekly SOURCE.
The four-storey home will open households gradually over the next 18 to 24 months. Facilities include a café, Wellness Centre for rehabilitation, and an intergenerational program in partnership with the adjacent early learning centre.
The Melvista adds to Oryx’s portfolio alongside:
- The Richardson, formerly a 5-star hotel in West Perth,
- The Queenslea Aged Care in Claremont, 9km west of Perth, and
- The Queenslea Retirement Apartments, which is adjacent to The Queenslea Aged Care in Claremont.
Oryx says it is now in “advanced planning” for more homes in “aspirational suburbs” and is “well poised to expand its innovative model nationally.”
The Melvista is built on the site of the former Melvista Nursing Home, which sat vacant for a decade before being demolished.
