Much to the delight of residents of the retirement village, what was once the Bay’s Mills Reef Winery building has opened its doors to a new lease of life as The Vines Bethlehem clubhouse, with work on converting and extending the iconic landmark into a clubhouse now completed.
And there really is a lot for the residents to delight in. Spanning more than 2000m2, the clubhouse includes an indoor swimming pool and spa, auditorium, theatre, library, gym, lounge areas – including a pool table lounge – plus resident workshop, arts and craft room, bowling green, and hairdressing and wellness spaces.
The 12-hectare site, which became a winery in the 1990s, was bought for a high-quality retirement village by Classic Group and Kauri Investments Limited, and is operated by their company, Classic Life with work starting on-site in 2016.
The developers paid homage to the winery’s history through the name of the lifestyle village, called ‘The Vines at Bethlehem’, and its winery-themed street names.
Classic Group director Peter Cooney said The Vines was developed with a gold class lifestyle in mind, so it was apt that its clubhouse – previously described as an art deco-styled winery – would be “such a gem of a building”.
He acknowledged that with the retention of the Mills Reef building comes the retention of memories. Many people had celebrated there during the building’s 25-year history.
“The fact the building would live on meant there was scope for more great memories to be created.”
Classic Life general manager Stuart Cheeseman said the residents are overwhelmed with what’s been created and really impressed with the quality and spaciousness.
“It’s exceeded their expectations and they like how is has both an upmarket, yet homely, feel,” he said, adding that the the clubhouse is considered a flagship in the Classic Life portfolio.
“Part of the Classic Group, Classic Life is committed to designing, building and managing new kinds of lifestyle and retirement environments.”
An official opening of the clubhouse will be held later this year.
