102 | Summerset Group Holdings T T Kelly Deeks New design concept for village “It’s a completely new concept for us, and we’re working through the final details now. It’s exciting to be part of something that will set the benchmark for future developments.” Proudly supporting Summerset New Zealand 10a Vulcan Place | Middleton | Christchurch | New Zealand Email: contact@farrells.co.nz Phone: +64 3 374 3266 www.farrellconstruction.co.nz Summerset is making strong progress on its new retirement village in Rangiora, with construction well advanced and the first residents already settling into what is set to become a major community asset for North Canterbury. Project manager Geoff Sanders says the site, located minutes from the town centre and once used for rural activities including horse riding, has proven ideal for development, offering the flat land that allows Summerset to move efficiently through the build programme. Construction began in July 2022, and the project has reached several key milestones. Civil works are now largely complete, with horizontal infrastructure nearing completion and expected to wrap up in late May. About 30 villas have already been handed over, with residents now living on site as the village continues to take shape. For Geoff, who has worked on multiple Summerset developments including villages in Avonhead and Casebrook, the Rangiora build reflects Summerset’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. “We take learnings from each build, work closely with our build partners, and feed that information back through to our design teams,” he says. “That collaboration allows us to refine our approach and gain efficiencies across the board.” A key point of difference for Summerset is its fully integrated delivery model, with design and construction managed in house. Geoff says this approach creates a high level of alignment across teams and contributes to smoother project delivery. “We have a fantastic team, many of whom have been with the business for a long time. Because everything is done in house, everyone is on the same page, and we can respond quickly and effectively as the project evolves.” The Rangiora development is planned to include around 260 villas once complete, alongside a central village hub that will serve as the heart of the community. This will feature a range of amenities including a café, bar, theatre, and even a golf simulator, as well as care facilities such as dementia care beds. The village centre building will also introduce Summerset’s new Generation 2 design, representing the next evolution in its village model. “This will be the first time we deliver this new design,” Geoff says. “It’s a completely new concept for us, and we’re working through the final details now. It’s exciting to be part of something that will set the benchmark for future developments.” Despite the scale of the project, Geoff says the build has progressed smoothly, with strong collaboration across all teams contributing to its success. “There are always challenges on builds of this size, but overall, it has been a great journey. The highlight for the team is always welcoming the first residents. That’s why we do what we do, and it’s rewarding to see people enjoying the village even as it continues to grow.” Residents have taken a keen interest in the construction process. “In Rangiora especially, many of our residents come from rural or trade backgrounds,” Geoff says. “They’re very interested in seeing how things are built, and they enjoy watching the development come together.” With momentum continuing to build, Summerset’s Rangiora village is shaping up as a significant addition to the region, combining modern living with a strong sense of community and a design approach focused on the future. LIFESTYLE
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