LEURA MALL
FIRST NATIONDharug and Gundungurra
LOCATIONYEARLeura
2024
CLIENTSTATUSPathways
In Development
Pathways Leura Village reimagines one of the Blue Mountains' most recognisable landmarks as a contemporary residential aged care community.
In the heart of Leura, the project restores the historic Ritz Hotel and its associated buildings while introducing a series of carefully considered contemporary pavilions that extend the life of the estate.
Rather than competing with the heritage fabric, the new buildings are designed as a collection of forms nestled within an elevated landscape, allowing the original architecture to remain the defining character of the site.
Heritage reimagined
Designed to accommodate 136 aged care residents, Pathways Leura Village supports a lifestyle centred on connection, independence and wellbeing. Communal dining rooms, lounges, a café, salon, cinema and landscaped gardens are woven throughout the village, encouraging residents to socialise, engage with nature and offers opportunities for interaction.
Pathways Leura Village demonstrates how adaptive reuse can preserve local heritage while delivering essential community infrastructure, ensuring the site continues to serve both residents and the broader community for generations to come.
A Contemporary Place of Care
The design draws on Leura's distinctive character through a contemporary interpretation of the site's historic architecture. Pitched terracotta roofs, articulated brickwork, stone retaining walls, and carefully detailed façades establish a clear relationship between the restored heritage buildings and the new additions. The result is a cohesive design that respects the scale, character and architectural language of the existing estate.
Existing mature trees and significant gardens are retained where possible, with new planting reinforcing the established canopy. Buildings are oriented to maximise natural light and cross ventilation while preserving visual connections with the surrounding landscape. Together, the architecture and landscape create a series of connected indoor and outdoor spaces that support daily life, encourage social interaction and strengthen residents' connection to nature.
