Premium retirement village for Whenuapai

Premium retirement village planned for Whenuapai

A premium retirement village and care home will be built in Whenuapai, following Metlifecare’s announcement that they have acquired a new site in the Northwest Auckland township.

Metlifecare’s Head of Acquisitions, Dylan Pell, said the company plans to invest around $175m in the 8.96-hectare property located at 99 Totara Road.

“We’re excited about securing this unique site which is located on a coastal peninsula at the edge of the Waitematā Harbour. A large part of the site has expansive sea views, so we know this village will be highly sought after.”

Mr Pell said the new village would help meet the needs of New Zealand’s future retirees in one of Auckland’s fastest growing areas.

“Whenuapai is quickly becoming an area of significant development and population growth. There’s been high demand for our Orion Point development in nearby Hobsonville, so we are expecting this village to attract both local retirees, and those from surrounding areas like Coatesville, Riverhead and Kumeu,” says Mr Pell.

Metlifecare’s Head of Development, Matt Wickham, says the bespoke village design, and its construction, will reflect Metlifecare’s commitment to sustainability.

“Reducing our environmental footprint through all our village developments is a fundamental part of our sustainability focus. The villas and apartments will be built to a Homestar 7 rating, and the care home to 6 Green Star – the highest Green Star certification rating for a commercial building.

“There is a portion of wetland located on the site which we intend to protect and restore as part of the village development, and we’ll be incorporating environmentally sustainable features within the village – things like solar power generation, water efficient fixtures and rainwater harvesting,” says Mr Wickham.

Metlifecare will engage with the local community and iwi throughout the design process to ensure the village fits appropriately into its surroundings.

“Community engagement is an essential part of Metlifecare’s design philosophy. Essentially, it’s going to be local people who will one day call this village home, so it’s really important we get our design right.

“Like its surrounding environment, the village will have a relaxed, coastal feel. It will be a place where residents can enjoy all the amenities that a premium retirement village has to offer, along with some cleverly-designed outdoor features like walking loops, exercise stations and yoga areas for those who are seeking an active, outdoor lifestyle,” says Mr Wickham.

The village will include an onsite residential aged care facility, which is an important drawcard for today’s retirees as they seek full continuum of care options.

“With a premium aged care home onsite, independent living residents can enjoy the freedom of an easy-living, retirement lifestyle, with the peace of mind that care is available if there is ever a time they may need it,” says Mr Wickham.

Subject to resource consent, construction is expected to commence in 2024, and it’s anticipated the village will be completed in 2030.

The new village will include approximately 142 independent villas and apartments and a 48-bed premium care home.