The first residents of a luxury Gold Coast vertical retirement village have sampled the stunning waterfront views from their future apartments via an eight-storey cherry picker as part of a sod-turning ceremony.
New artist impressions and details of hi-tech inclusions were also released during the official launch on 28 April of Reside Communities’ Esperance Hope Island village – a regional benchmark for a new generation of downsizers.
Designed as a five-star hotel experience complete with a concierge, Esperance will transform a disused canal front site into a new community. Reside Communities says the community will have an array of residents-only resort-style facilities which cannot be found elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
The project, launched late last year, is selling out quickly.
Reside Communities CEO Glen Brown said he was delighted with how well Esperance had resonated with local downsizers.
“Esperance is a groundbreaking project in all aspects of its design as well as the luxury and lifestyle it offers, which is attracting a huge amount of interest,” Mr Brown said.
“We’re looking forward to our vision – uniquely tailored to meet the needs and expectations of today’s active and independent retirees – becoming a reality.”
Downsizers ride the cherry picker
For downsizers Phil and Di Bartlett, the cherry picker ride gave them a first-hand experience of the panorama views they will enjoy every day from their new penthouse.
Among the first buyers, they wanted to take full advantage of the outlook over the water.
“We always wanted an apartment with a view, and the penthouse looked ideal,” said Mr Bartlett, a former South Australian dairy farmer who has spent most of life on a property overlooking the Murray River.
“It’s one of the things that attracted us to Esperance, along with its convenience to everything. It’s close to beautiful golf facilities and all amenities are within walking distance.’’
All of the $1 million-dollar plus penthouses and sub-penthouses in the first building – named Esprit - have been snapped up, reflecting the strong demand for luxurious retirement living options on the Coast.
Esperance is also setting a benchmark for hi-tech living for older Australians. All apartments will be enabled for the latest in home automation.
Technology is a big part of Esperance
An exclusive app allows buyers to keep track of construction progress and once they move in, it will be the ideal way to find out about community events and activities.
Computer modelling used during the design of Esperance ensured the views from each apartment would be perfectly framed. Visualisation software allowed designers to take a virtual walk inside the buildings to maximise the outlook and ambience of each home.
Esperance will ultimately deliver around 300 deluxe apartments and villas with more than a hectare of green space featuring lush landscaping and a boardwalk running the full length of the village’s 150 metres of prime water frontage.
Future plans include dedicated aged care living options and ground floor retail spaces.
The first stage will feature 76 apartments ranging from spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom residences to spectacular three-bedroom penthouses with sweeping water and island views. Prices start at $550,000.
Luxury kitchens, open plan living, generous balconies or courtyards, separate laundries and walk-in robes are all standard while many apartments also have media rooms and study nooks.
Exclusive recreation amenities will include a cinema, bar, café, library, private function and dining rooms, and outdoor barbecue and entertaining spaces.
Health and wellbeing will be well catered for with an indoor therapy-focused swimming pool, indoor/outdoor resort-style pool, gym, yoga and Pilates studio, hair and beauty salon, health and wellness spaces, and outdoor exercise lawns for activities such as yoga and tai chi.
Located on Sickle Avenue at Hope Island, residents will be just across the road from all the shopping and dining at Hope Island Marketplace, and within easy walking distance of numerous health and leisure services.
