Demand for retirement living options is on the rise with one developer continuing on fast track

A developer will fast track the next release in a Caboolture retirement community following record January sales across southeast Queensland.

BCM Property Home Liftout: The Long House recreation club project, at Halcyon Glades, developed by DC8 Studio Architects. Renders of The Long House recreation club, expected to be completed in early 2016.

A DEVELOPER will fast track the next release in a Caboolture retirement community following record sales.

Halcyon sold about $11 million worth of property in January across its southeast Queensland projects, including Halcyon Glades.

Sales were double those achieved in the same period last year.

Halcyon’s January sales figures hit a new record this year.

Halcyon joint managing director Bevan Geissmann said demand for affordable, quality accommodation for Australia’s over 50s had escalated.

“The later stage of life is about fun, friendship and of course, finances – so we’ve delivered a housing model that delivers on all those fronts,” he said.

“In the past couple of years, Halcyon has diversified its housing stock to include a range of options from entry-level properties to million dollar-plus waterfront homes.

“That has helped us capture a broader section of the market and opened up the Halcyon brand to a diverse range of buyers.”

Dr Geissmann said out-of-town buyers continued to figure strongly in Halcyon’s sales.

“The Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast are becoming increasingly popular for those entering retirement,” he said.

Halcyon Glades, Caboolture, was the 100th project nationally to receive EnviroDevelopment Certification from the UDIA.

“We have great infrastructure and amenities in place and arguably the best climate in the world.

“People are releasing themselves from the suburban grind and Halcyon homeowners couldn’t be happier for it.

“There comes a time in your life where you want to be surrounded by like-minded people and enjoy the spoils of retirement, and we just deliver a format to allow that to happen.”

At Halcyon, water charges, council rates and body corporate fees are rolled into a fixed weekly fee, indexed to CPI. Buyers are not required to pay stamp duty on their purchase.

Once complete, Halcyon Glades will consist of 176 homes plus recreational facilities including a pool, spa, gym, cinema, bowling green, tennis court, library, craft and games rooms, plus caravan and boat storage.

The project was recognised for its commitment to sustainable development, becoming the 100th project nationally to receive EnviroDevelopment certification from the Urban Development Institute of Australia.

EnviroDevelopment board chairman Matthew Gross said Halcyon had demonstrated ongoing commitment to delivering sustainability features for the benefit of its homeowners and the wider community.

A rammed earth wall, part of the recreation centre construction, helped Halcyon achieve sustainable ratings at its Caboolture project.

“Halcyon has incorporated various unique design features, ranging from a rammed earth wall in its recreation club right down to a community garden and compost,” he said.

“It is a truly green development which acknowledges the importance of achieving sustainability targets that ultimately lead to a reduction in living costs for Halcyon Glades’ homeowners.

Mr Geissmann said there were undeniable financial advantages to efficient development principles which paid dividends over time.

Homes in the project are priced between $355,000 and $520,000.