Summerset celebrated the official opening of its flagship St Johns village in the heart of Auckland at an exclusive event in early December.
Government dignitaries, residents and business partners involved in the development process gathered to officially open Summerset's flagship St. Johns Village.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was a privilege to be invited to formally open the village, adding New Zealand needs more developments like this to meet the population growth for retirees, which is set to double in the next fifty years, and removing obstructions and red tape to building houses will assist meeting that demand.
Summerset CEO Scott Scoullar appreciated the Prime Minister recognising the importance of the company’s continued investment in quality retirement villages that provide resort-style facilities as well as providing a continuum of care for those who may require it – now or in the future.
“On completion, St Johns will be home to approximately 450 residents freeing up existing local homes to the property market. The village will employ approximately 70 people, with NZD $10 million annual operational spend, and an estimated NZD $500 million total value-added spend to the local economy during the lifetime of the village,” said Scoullar.
“St Johns is our biggest retirement village build to-date, a NZD $450m project investment that has contributed much-needed new homes, in-demand care facilities, employment opportunities and economic investment within the electorate and the region.”
The village was also a unique build for the company.
“We haven’t built multiple high-rise buildings all at once or opened a village centre as part of the first stage”.
Summerset St Johns began its journey when the company purchased the lease to the 2.5ha site, formerly known as Parsons Paddock, in July 2015. After a lengthy consent process, Summerset’s most complex build began in 2020.
Despite multiple Covid lockdowns and supply chain obstacles the first stage, comprising sixty percent of the village’s one, two and three-bedroom apartments, serviced apartments as well as care and memory care centres with well-appointed suites, were delivered on time this year.
Following a blessing by representatives of Ngāti Pāoa Iwi when the first stage of the village was completed in October, the first residents moved in and are now being joined by others enjoying their new homes in the village that offers resort-style facilities that include a café/bistro, wellness centre, swimming pool and spa, beauty salon, chauffeur service.
“Demand for our premium retirement living offer is high. We are also at a time when there is unprecedented demand for care offerings and this is going to continue to grow through 2050. Summerset, along with the retirement and aged care sector, is keen to work with the government on addressing the issue. We’re proud that our St Johns village can assist with addressing care pressures in Auckland, providing continuum of care options for those residents who may need it now, or should their needs change.”
The second and third stages are underway with stage two to be completed next year.
Also attending the opening was Tamaki electorate Member of Parliament Hon Brooke van Velden who noted the contribution that Summerset has made to meeting the demands for retirement living and aged care in New Zealand, and particularly in the Tamaki electorate.
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