Conversations at the Wharf: Customer Demand for Prestige Retirement Living

What does prestige really mean in retirement living, and how is demand evolving as residents are presented with more choice than ever?

In the latest Conversations at the Wharf, four senior leaders from across development, operations, construction and banking sit down with DCM Group CEO Chris Baynes to unpack where the market is heading, and why premium retirement villages are holding their ground.

The discussion brings together Sally Taylor, Managing Director of Retirement by Moran; Wayne Horbach, Director of Hotel Services – Montefiore;
Rod Burger, General Manager – Aged Care and Retirement Living at Richard Crookes Construction; and Kaizaad Mehta, National Head of Health and Industry Specialisation, Business Banking Westpac,

Across three focused questions, the panel explores how operators are responding to rising competition from land lease communities, community apartment projects and Build-to-Rent, and why demand for high-quality, service-led retirement living continues to grow.

From changing resident expectations and hotel-style service models, to build quality, location and capital confidence, the conversation highlights a clear theme: prestige retirement living is no longer just about amenity, it’s about experience, trust and long-term value.