Changing resident needs mark the end of era for Toorak aged care home

Victorian aged care provider, BlueCross, is selling their historic Darnlee aged care home and interested parties are already earmarking the palatial property to be sold to a family.

What was BlueCross’ first facility which opened 30 years ago, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ingrid Harvey, said their decision to sell Darnlee was “not made lightly” and that interested buyers are likely to turn it into a residential property.

Despite a campaign to attract other retirement living providers, our ageing population require more complex care needs and BlueCross found navigating the complicated heritage layout of the property difficult to facilitate that care.

Its layout played a significant part in their “unfortunate” decision to sell – concluding Darnlee’s chapter as an aged care facility. 

“Darnlee holds a very special place in the history of BlueCross as it was our first residence we opened in 1993,”  Ms Harvey explained.

“The decision to sell the property was not made lightly. The limitations with [the facility’s] physical layout however, made it very difficult for us to meet the changing care needs of our residents.”   

“To date, the intention of interested parties is to transform the property into a family home.”

While Darnlee’s fate is yet to be decided, the property could still be snapped up by a dedicated aged care provider.

The property has 47 bedrooms, unique grand rooms with bay windows and a lot of other original features from when it was built in 1899.  

With this in mind, Darnlee is expected to sell for $20-$22 million and the remaining residents at the facility will vacate next month. 

This comes months after fellow historic residential aged care facility, The Connault in Balwyn, Victoria went on the market. 

According to heritage documents, the original red brick Queen Anne main home was built for manufacturer Charles McIntyre and has been in the hands of many including the Red Cross and the Public Works department.