Brisbane Student Names Construction Crane At Bernborough Ascot Retirement Project

Bernborough Ascot in Brisbane has given a Macgregor State High School student the opportunity to name the construction crane that will help build Magnolia House, the development’s third building.



Community-led Recognition

The crane will arrive on site in November to support construction of Magnolia House. It is part of Queensland’s first vertical retirement village beside the Doomben racecourse. The naming was organised through the national Girls in Property program run by the Property Council of Australia. The program introduces young women to real career pathways in the property and construction sector.

Photo Credit: Supplied

Macgregor State High School student Zainabu Abdulganiu was selected as the winner, submitting the name Eternal Stable. She said the choice reflected long-lasting strength, balance and a connection to the location’s history. The development team said the name aligns with Bernborough Ascot’s position beside Doomben racecourse and its status as a vertical retirement village built within a racing precinct.

Girls In Property Program Impact

Nationally, the Girls in Property program is in its seventh year and has reached more than 600 students from 25 schools. In Queensland, the program is in its eighth year. It involves workshops, site tours and mentorship to help students understand the career paths that exist within the property industry. 

Photo Credit: Supplied

Program leaders said it aims to broaden students’ understanding of who can work in the sector. In Queensland, four Brisbane schools and eight Townsville schools are participating in 2025.

Magnolia House Development

Magnolia House will include two- and three-bedroom apartments, three penthouses and a rooftop dining and alfresco space overlooking the racetrack. Construction is underway and sales are expected to open soon, with the first residents planned to move in from late 2027. 

The development is being delivered by Keyton, which operates more than 75 retirement villages nationally and houses around 17,000 residents.

Connection Beyond Construction

Members of Keyton’s development team said involving students in real project decisions is a practical way to help young women see a place for themselves in the industry.



They said the crane naming gives students a visible contribution to a project that will soon become a home for older residents. Program organisers describe the initiative as a meaningful way to connect education with real-world development.

Published 28-October-2025

New Senior Living Apartments Unveiled at Bernborough Ascot

A new retirement complex has opened in Ascot, with Poinciana House adding 53 independent living apartments to the Bernborough Ascot community.



New Milestone for Vertical Retirement Living in Ascot

Poinciana House
Photo Credit: Balmain & Co./Instagram

Queensland’s Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls, has opened Poinciana House, the latest addition to Keyton’s Bernborough Ascot community. Located beside Doomben Racecourse, the development introduces 53 new apartments to what is described as Australia’s first vertical retirement community within a racecourse precinct.

A Growing Retirement Precinct

Bernborough Ascot forms part of a $1.5 billion redevelopment being led by Brisbane Racing Club. The precinct already includes Fig Tree House, which has reached full occupancy. Poinciana House is the second residential building in the development, designed to support long-term independent living and wellness for older Australians.

 Bernborough Ascot community
Photo Credit: Balmain & Co./Instagram

The development has been delivered in partnership with builder Balmain & Co, which highlighted the project’s sustainability credentials and emphasis on lifestyle-focused design.

Features and Facilities

Poinciana House offers a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments across multiple floorplans. Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light, storage, and functionality, with two interior finish schemes available.

Residents have access to an extensive selection of health and lifestyle facilities, such as a rooftop terrace, magnesium indoor pool, sauna, gym, fitness area, bowling green, café, and shared dining and lounge spaces. Allied health consulting rooms are located onsite, along with a concierge desk, parcel services, and a personalised health and wellness program.

retirement house
Photo Credit: Balmain & Co./Instagram

A 24-hour emergency call system and pharmacy delivery service are also available to residents.

Sustainable Recognition

Bernborough Ascot has received a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, recognising its commitment to sustainability and urban regeneration. Poinciana House contributes to this rating with its environmentally focused design and energy-efficient features.

senior living apartments
Photo Credit: Balmain & Co./Instagram

A Model for ‘Ageing in Place’

Keyton has positioned the development as part of a broader shift toward integrated retirement living. With the adjacent Opal Healthcare’s Ascot Grove Care Community scheduled for completion in 2027, the precinct aims to provide a continuum of care allowing residents to transition between levels of independence without leaving the community.



The company has reported strong interest in the new apartments, with over 70 per cent of Poinciana House already sold.

Published 9-May-2025