RFBI’s $30M integrated care site in Ecove Group’s $294M project approved
The project was classified as a State Significant Development because the development is for the purpose of seniors housing.
Paul Scully, NSW Government’s Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, approved the Rhodes East Mixed Use Seniors Housing Development on 22 December 2025.
The $294 million project, which has frontages to Concord Road and Blaxland Road, 12km west of Sydney’s CBD, is by developer Ecove Group, with Bates Smart as the architect. It was classified as a State Significant Development because the development is for the purpose of seniors housing.
There will have two towers of 26 storeys (85.5 metres high) and 22 storeys (74.3m) for RFBI (Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution) to operate seniors housing containing 30 independent living units and a 102-bed residential care facility located over three levels in the podium. The development cost is stated as $30 million.
There also will be 356 apartments, retail premises, an emergency services facility, and a community facility to be used as an office for Chief Foundation Limited, a community housing provider.
The site currently contains Rhodes Fire Station, residential flat buildings and a single dwelling, community hall and a commercial development.
RFBI, which owns and operates 20 retirement villages, 22 residential villages and provides home care services across NSW and ACT, was approached for comment.
The organisation operates the nearest retirement village, RFBI Concord Community Village.
At level four, the base of the towers proposes a podium landscape for benefit of all residents. Above 10 typical low-rise levels provide the majority of compact one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Above the level 14 ‘shoulders’, the residential floorplates begin to step back offering larger three- and four-bedroom dwellings which benefit from the outdoor space on the terraces created by the stepped form.
