Luxuries for the next chapter of your life
DEMAND IS growing for retirement communities in the UK. There are currently 12.2 million people aged 65 or over, rising to 17.4 million by 2043, according to Office for National Statistics population projections. Research by YouGov for McCarthy Stone shows that 33 per cent of those aged 65 or over are interested in moving, equating to around 4 million people.
McCarthy Stone offers mainly one and two-bedroom apartments across the country, with varying levels of support and care for older people. Its Retirement Living developments provide independence in private apartments designed for the over-60s, with facilities such as communal lounges and guest suites.
Retirement Living Plus, for the over70s, brings additional on-site facilities such as restaurants, well-being suites and function rooms and flexible care and support packages where needed.
In Borehamwood, McCarthy Stone’s Goldwyn House is a Retirement Living Plus scheme on Studio Way, for over-70s. Prices for the one- and two-bedroom apartments start from £350,000 and £460,000 respectively. Rental and partbuy, part-rent options are also available.
Edward House Retirement Living Plus in Hertford has one- and two-bedroom apartments from £410,000 and £480,000 respectively. Rental and partbuy, part-rent options are also available here.
Highclere House on Great North Road in Hatfield is for the over-60s. It has a luxurious homeowners’ lounge, landscaped gardens and a hotel-style guest suite for visiting friends or relatives, a house manager, secure entry and 24-hour emergency call points.
Prices at Highclere House start from £324,995 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £399,995 for a two-bedroom. Retirees in Hatfield can purchase outright, rent, or part buy, part rent. Rental prices start from £1,790 pcm.
Luxury retirement specialist Elysian has built The Landsby, an urban retirement village, on Merrion Avenue in Stanmore. The apartments have fivestar amenities, services and additional care and support available on a flexible basis if needed.
Designed by Collado Collins, the Landsby’s architectural style references the Art Deco period seen in the local area and provides 101 one-bedroom and two-bedroom private apartments including ten penthouses, in leafy surroundings.
Highlights include an impressive entrance canopy and foyer, feature brickwork, curved walls, polished pillars, large windows and generous covered balconies.
The Landsby’s grand double-height entrance lobby and library spans the entire depth of the building, with a concierge on one side.
The library, curated by Foyles, contains fiction, non-fiction and children’s books for homeowners’ grandchildren. It is described as a ‘living library’ as it will be updated according to the interests of the Landsby customers and new books can be ordered via the concierge.
The reception area opens into the coffee lounge and bar. There is a fullservice à la carte restaurant and bar, Benjamin’s, and a private dining room which can be booked for dinner parties and celebrations; residents can also store their own wine bottles in the cellar if they wish. In addition, with 24 hours’ notice, homeowners can order personalised menus from more than 110 ethnic and religious cuisines.
The community events space will provide activities for residents, from lectures to bridge nights to fitness classes.
There is also a beauty salon and treatment room area, with hairdressing and beauty treatments on offer. Also in this area will be consultation rooms for the use of residents’ medical professionals if needed.
The rooftop gym is complemented by Pilates, yoga and Zumba classes in the ground-floor events space.
The Landsby has several outdoor communal spaces including a paved terrace with seating for relaxation and lunch al fresco, with planting and a bronze sculpture by Asnat Halter and a garden terrace, outside the library and Benjamin’s, for lounging, entertaining and dining.
The apartments are fitted with Miele and Siemens kitchen appliances, Hansgrohe and Duravit bathrooms and timber tongue-andgroove flooring. Sizes range from 620 sq ft to 725 sq ft (one-bedroom apartments) and 900 sq ft to 1,700 sq ft (two-bedrooms). There are also ten penthouses.
The Landsby is a short walk from Stanmore Tube station. Local bus routes serve areas including Brent Cross shopping centre, Stanmore Country Park and Bentley Priory.
Limited apartments are still available to purchase at the Landsby.
Prices start from £480,000 for a onebedroom, £695,000 for a two-bedroom and £1,210,000 for a penthouse apartment: all providing private outdoor space.