Convent vacant for 14 years cleared for seniors housing
From orphanage to opportunity
- Finally approved: 28 homes for senior women
- Long journey: Site sat vacant for 14 years
- $11.8m build: Two new apartment buildings planned
- Mercy mission: Safe housing with purpose
The site in Baulkham Hills, 30km northwest of Sydney’s CBD, has been owned by The Sisters of Mercy Parramatta for 110 years.
The building has been vacant since 2012 when St Michael’s Family Centre was shut down.
There have been various plans submitted to The Hills Shire Council, including plans for 120 residential aged care beds and up to 70 independent living units.
Now a development application originally submitted in 2021 for an $11.8 million 28-unit seniors living development has been approved by council.
The Senior Living Development will offer “affordable safe housing for vulnerable senior women”, according to Integrated Design Group in the planning documents.
The approved plan is for two buildings:
- East building: 14 x one-bedroom dwellings;
- West building: 13 x one-bedroom dwellings and one two-bedroom dwelling;
- Each building contains a lift serving the basement and both levels of accommodation.
The west building also contains a meeting/craft room with access to communal open space. Five existing multi-dwelling houses on the site will also be retained.
The Sisters of Mercy Parramatta provides services and accommodation for homeless and at-risk women and children.
