Retire In Style
The Age
Saturday May 10, 2008
This Hawthorn retirement complex sets the bar high, says Katherine Townsend.
THE Buxton Group's foray into luxury retirement developments was famously born of director Richard Buxton's search for suitable accommodation for his ageing father.Finding nothing suitable for the real estate dynasty's patriarch, Richard Buxton built Rylands in Brighton and proved such a successful model the company has gone on to build similar high quality retirement apartments in Kew and now Hawthorn.The latest Rylands in Hawthorn is, like the others, on a well-positioned site in a suburb with a high proportion of ageing, well-heeled empty-nesters who love the area but are ready to downsize. The recently completed five-level complex is an easy walk to Camberwell Junction, with the Riversdale Road tram passing the door.Rylands Hawthorn, like the other two, requires its buyers to be 55-plus and able to care for themselves. So, while there is an "emergency assist" button in each of the development's 84 apartments, the target market is the active retiree.This recently-opened "luxury retirement living" almost has the feel of a resort, with a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, library, cinema and many seating areas inside and out. Private dining rooms and function rooms are available for residents to host parties for family and friends. Body corporate fees begin at $162 a week and many services, such as the restaurant and "wellness centre", are pay-as-you-go.Decor in public areas, while by no means edgy, is strong and smart with plenty of artworks, colourful cushions and objets d'art.The apartments are a mix of one bedroom plus study, up to three bedrooms, although most have two bedrooms. They all have a large kitchen, dining and living area opening on to a terrace or veranda, and most have a full laundry. Many have an ensuite and second bathroom. Prices begin at $500,000, rising to $1.25 million for a penthouse with views of the city. Some of the loveliest are on the lower ground floor of the block, with park views. Apartments are finished in neutral tones with carpet in living areas and bedrooms. The standard is comparable to any upmarket apartment building in inner Melbourne. There is underground car parking and residents can bring cats and small dogs. Almost half the apartments have been sold and Rylands marketing manager Sam Buxton says the residents' interest seems "focused on lifestyle rather than property considerations". Residents can sell their apartments to other over-55s.Murrumbeena apartmentsAddress: 9 Dunoon Street, Murrumbeena Price: $399,000-$469,000 Private saleAgent: Beller Real Estate, 9510 1966 Melway: 69 A5Buyers choosing a refurbished apartment in an established building often get more space for the price than in new buildings. The rebuilding of '60s and '70s apartment blocks in middle-ring suburbs is popular with those who recognise their appeal and their capacity to be upgraded. In Murrumbeena, a '70s block of eight one and two-bedroom flats was almost rebuilt to a modern style. Four remain for sale, from 85 square metres to about 90 square metres. They have a courtyard or balcony. Some ground-floor flats have big courtyards and all have off-street parking.Beller Real Estate marketing agent Robert German says they draw interest from investors and owner-occupiers because of the position near shops and Murrumbeena railway station.The refurbished interiors include dark timber floorboards in living areas, stone benches in the kitchen and Blanco appliances. They have air-conditioning and a washing machine in the Euro laundry. They are $399,000-$469,000. Buyers can choose ground or the first floor. -- KATHERINE TOWNSEND Rylands HawthornAddress: 349 Riversdale Road Price: $500,000-$1.25 millionPrivate saleAgent: Buxton Property Group, 1300 654 996Melway 45 G12CORRECTIONOn this page last week, the incorrect address was given for the Botanica development. The address is 10 Tennyson Street, St Kilda.
© 2008 The Age
