New life for motor inn

It was the first motel in the Hobsonville area, and now looks set to be the first lifestyle community for over-50s of its kind.

The Hobson Motor Inn, which was built in the late 1980s, now has around 20 units up for sale as part of a new housing village for those aged over 50.

Barfoot and Thompson project manager Iain Scott said the main housing options for people in this age group consisted of either downsizing or moving into a retirement-type villages.

‘‘I think there is a bit of gap in the market that this is fulfilling that doesn’t exist in other places.’’

To move to the inn’s new complex, the principal resident must be more than 50-years-old. The choice of age group for the new development felt ‘‘right’’, Scott said.

Twenty of the 36 units are on the market, with one and two-bedroom options available. Prices are in the $400,000 range.

The units were ideal for those wanting to downsize or for regional workers commuting to Auckland a few days a week, Scott said.

Shared spaces, including a cabana, would be available to residents.

A Hobson Motel Inn partnership spokesperson said they hoped to see new residents forming a ‘‘little community’’.

The new residents were expected to start moving in by early 2018.