Business South August 2021

92 | LIFESTYLE GE Construction: Boulevard Retirement Village Avoiding bland uniformity is the key Kim Newth I t can be easy to mistake The Boulevard in Rolleston for an upmarket subdivision. With so much individual character and appeal, it represents a complete break away from ‘standard issue’ retirement village design. This is Rolleston’s first lifestyle village for people over the age of 55. Planned to provide full continuum of care, the emphasis is also on giving people quality choices over how they live. Architecturally, the two-bedroom and three-bedroom villas have been designed to express variety and unique style. There is genuine commitment here to avoiding bland uniformity and prospective residents are wel- come to make their own decisions on décor and finish details, such as colours, carpets, drapes and joinery. “Our villas have a different and distinc- tive style – we have really tried to avoid that ‘cookie cutter’ approach,” says Karen Harris, who owns and operates The Boulevard with husband Dean. The couple has been in the industry for more than 30 years and share a wealth of knowledge and experience. “We’ve tried to emulate all the best practice aspects of what we have seen in retirement villages over the years and improve on things that didn’t work so well.” With 32 villas already built and occupied, The Boulevard’s residential environment is now well advanced. “We’re about to com- mence another 20 villas and they will be the final ones at this site,” says Karen, who adds that another 28 are also planned for newly purchased land adjoining the village. These will be two- and three-bedroom villas, all with double garages. Demand is so strong that people have al- ready signed up for the next stage. There is no doubt that the high spec, individual character of this village is proving a real drawcard. Karen suggests the Covid environment, combined with a hot housing market, is adding to that as well, because many older people want to live in a supportive lifestyle village where there is less risk of social isolation and are finding it easy to sell up and move once they make their choice. On The Boulevard team is GE Construction, which won the tender to build the village. GE Construction’s founder Grant England has over 25 years’ experience in the building sec- tor and is a specialist in architectural residen- tial and commercial building. Dedicated to perfection, he has a trusted reputation and a passion for looking after clients and making sure they get the quality results they deserve. As a shareholder in this development, he has an absolute commitment to creating homes that residents will love. “As builders, we’re very proud to be working on site at The Boulevard and constructing beautiful purpose-built villas that are both “The villas are warm and comfortable with a north facing aspect and include lovely touches like riverstone entry features, full height windows for sun and outlook and attractive patio areas.” carefully considered and offer a real point of difference,” says Grant. “The villas are warm and comfortable with a north facing aspect and include lovely touch- es like riverstone entry features, full height windows for sun and outlook and attractive patio areas that are easily accessible. “There’s real attention to detail. For exam- ple, a nice feature in the three-bedroom villas is that the third bedroom has cavity sliders giving people choices over how internal space is configured.” Karen observes that this has been a very popular inclusion that is now also being of- fered in new two-bedroom villas in the village. Also planned for The Boulevard is a care facility, which will be a valuable addition for the Rolleston community and surrounding districts. It will include a new village lodge, café and large commercial kitchen along with apartments and care suites with hospital, rest home and dementia level care. The design plans are on track to be com- pleted this year, with construction due to commence in early 2022 starting with the lodge and café. 0800 080 189 admin@hunterplumbing.co.nz www.hunterplumbing.co.nz • Prompt Service • Commercial • Backflow Prevention • Alterations • New Housing • Maintenance Work • All Areas of Plumbing