A start‑of‑works ceremony marked the beginning of construction on the redevelopment of Diment, as SHAPE and IRT address the growing demand for senior living communities in the Illawarra region.
SHAPE is proud to have been selected to deliver the $45 million transformation of IRT’s first seniors’ living community, a project that represents a significant investment in independent seniors’ housing in the Illawarra region. With almost one in five Wollongong residents aged 65 and over, the renewed Diment will help meet increasing demand for housing that supports independence, wellbeing and connection for older Australians.
A start‑of‑works ceremony was held on site on Tuesday 3rd March, bringing together representatives from Wollongong City Council, IRT leadership, community members, project partners, SHAPE NSW General Manager, James Fitzgerald and the SHAPE project team to celebrate this important milestone and the official commencement of major construction.
Originally opened in 1971, Diment was IRT’s first seniors’ living development and the first high‑rise of its kind in the Wollongong CBD. Named after IRT founder Dr Max Diment, the 12‑storey tower has played an important role in the local community for more than five decades and remains a recognised Wollongong landmark.
Delivered under a design and construct model, alongside Project Managers Gallagher Jeffs, the preconstruction period involved considering both a staged live environment option and a single stage delivery option. The client ultimately decided to go with a staged delivery within a live environment to minimise disruption to daily operations. The SHAPE team will now carefully stage works with detailed planning in place to support resident wellbeing, communication and continuity throughout construction.
The redevelopment will create 102 contemporary independent living apartments alongside refreshed communal and shared spaces. It will also feature landscaped gardens and walkways, upgraded services and infrastructure, lift replacements, façade enhancements and modern interiors. The iconic tower will be retained and revitalised, honouring its history while bringing the building into a new era of seniors’ living. The works will also address current fire and life safety requirements, supporting a safer and more comfortable living environment for residents.
James Fitzgerald, General Manager NSW at SHAPE, said, “Diment holds a special place in the Wollongong community and in IRT’s history. We’re proud to be delivering its next chapter to ensure it continues to support independence, wellbeing and connection for residents well into the future.”
SHAPE is excited to be supporting IRT’s long‑term commitment to reinvesting in its existing communities across the Illawarra. We are committed to delivering contemporary, future‑focused seniors’ living environments, that honour the legacy of the people who built IRT, the generations of residents who have called Diment home, and the dedicated staff who have supported them.
With practical completion targeted for early 2027, we’re looking forward to partnering with IRT to deliver a renewed, future‑focused independent seniors’ living community that reflects both the legacy of Diment and the evolving needs of the Illawarra community.
Learn more about how SHAPE’s capability in Senior Living spaces here.
