Castle Retirement Living, the team behind the new £30million Castle View retirement village in Windsor is looking to replicate its retirement living model.
The envisaged future formula would blend purpose-built luxury apartments with excellent community facilities and be based in an urban area with all the benefits of connectivity, community, entertainment and activity.
“We aim to design and develop high-end quality retirement living that’s a significant departure from conventional older living apartments,” says Robin Hughes, CEO of Castle Retirement Living. “The quality benchmark is that it should be good enough for my mum, and she was one of the first people to move into Castle View.
“Apartments would be well built, sound-proofed and thermally efficient, and set within a building that incorporates contemporary features such as a cool café/bar, a restaurant serving good food, quiet spaces like our library and statement features as the Sky Lounge and sun deck at Windsor. Good interior design is also vital to create an environment that today’s 60 and 70 year olds aspire to live in.
Adds Robin: “The huge demand on retirement housing and health care in the UK is a consequence of the changing demographics. Today’s older generation also has the wealth to demand a much higher standard of living than their parents, and as well as having a focus on peace of mind, well-being, independence and living with like-minded people, this market wants a quality experience throughout – and why not, they have worked hard for it!”
The next development would comprise some 60-70 units and be fully staffed. The first project at Windsor cost approximately £30million to construct and fit out, and it is envisaged that the next one would represent a similar investment, subject to the cost of land.
Castle Retirement Living comprises a small management team with an excellent pedigree led by Robin Hughes who has some 20 years’ experience in the property and care sectors – see Note to Editors below.
The business is now looking to build on the success of its first scheme which will be the cornerstone for a long term investor to grow the business. To this end, CBRE has been appointed to find a partner to take it forward to the next stage.
