Arvida's Development team is making strides with the Bethlehem Shores Care Centre and Apartment project, aiming to secure two significant New Zealand building ratings. This ambitious development, overlooking Tauranga's inner harbour, will distinguish itself through design and sustainability.
Currently under construction, the new 14,000m² facility will include 53 independent living apartments and 55 care suites organised into six households. The project complements the existing 273 architecturally designed villas at Bethlehem Shores. It will offer a range of amenities, including a café, lounge bar, whānau rooms, hair salon, flexi/craft room, kitchen and dining areas, and three landscaped courtyards.
The building's layout consists of five distinct wings, separated by wide, landscaped courtyards, providing privacy and ample natural light. The positioning maximises views to the north and east, overlooking the harbour and Mount Maunganui while offering vistas westward towards the river and the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Ranges.
Sustainability and durability are at the core of the design. The primary structure is made using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), a lightweight yet strong material created by layering timber in alternating directions. This method speeds up construction and enhances the building's environmental credentials. The project is on track to achieve Homestar Level 7 certification, ensuring a warm, dry, and healthy living environment, while also meeting Lifemark standards for adaptability, safety, and usability.
Once completed, Arvida will be one of New Zealand's first retirement village operators to secure both Homestar and Lifemark ratings for a single project. Justin Marshall, Arvida's Development Manager, noted the benefits of CLT in managing construction within an established community.
"Working on our largest single-stage project within a completed community is challenging, but CLT has enabled us to accelerate construction while reducing noise and disruption," he said.
"This state-of-the-art care centre will offer a household model of care, providing rest home, hospital, and dementia care."
