The developer has filed a development application to build 48 single-storey townhouses and 52 apartments across two four-and five storey buildings at the 40,425sqm site of the former Higgins Primary School which they bought via tender in 2016.

Managing Director Richard Howarth tells us the group has over 20 years’ experience in the village sector and has one existing village, but they will keep the two separate as they plan to do something different with this development, named The Henry after the suburb’s namesake, Henry Bourne Higgins.

The $38.7 million project, designed by Stewart Architecture, has purposely tried to keep as much green space as possible and includes the townhouses, which Mr Howarth says are not widely available at the moment.

“These are not just your standard ILU blocks that all look exactly the same,” he said.

They also plan to build a co-located aged care facility on the site, which is restricted to community facilities such as retirement villages and aged care based on consultation done with the community after the school closed – suggesting the response from residents should be positive.

Mr Howarth adds they are already receiving calls off the back of a recent story in The Canberra Times.

It’s worth checking out the site for The Henry too here – they clearly have a sense of humour.