Retirees revel in beachside bliss as sold-out vertical village opens

MEDIA RELEASE: Monday, 22 November 2021

The sold-out Pavilion North Kirra retirement community has opened its first stage building and more than 100 excited residents are starting to move into the prime beachside location.

The Pavilion North Kirra is providing something very different for retirees on the sought-after southern end of the Gold Coast. The vertical village’s first building was officially completed last month after selling out seven months earlier.

North Kirra’s first independent-living retirement community on Lang Street is only metres from the white sands. Stage one has 68 one, two and three-bedroom apartments over 10 storeys on the 2025sq m site.

Settling into their beautiful apartment on the seventh floor are retirees Kim and Bill Horne. “Our ‘forever home’ at The Pavilion is everything we hoped it would be,’’ Kim says. “It's a bit surreal waking up to a sea breeze and a beautiful sparkling ocean view each morning. We're still at the pinching ourselves stage.

“We have beautiful new facilities, friendly and accommodating staff and the knowledge we don't even have to change a lightbulb rounds out the perfect living situation for us. It's like we're on holidays ... all the time!’’

The Pavilion was developed and is operated by southeast Queensland retirement living operator Aura Holdings.

Aura Holdings Director Tim Russell said The Pavilion had exceeded all expectations. “We knew from the project’s launch there would be a demand for quality, independent retirement living beside the beach at North Kirra but the pace of sales was unprecedented,’’ he said.

“The Pavilion has addressed a gap in the market for a safe, maintenance-free lifestyle for over-60s and is the only retirement village east of the Gold Coast Highway. It is a very special lifestyle and the ocean views are sensational.

“Today’s Baby Boomer retirees demand a very high standard of accommodation and they want to live in a prime location not miles from the beach on the other side of the highway. Our buyers told us they didn’t want to share their spaces with Airbnb holidaymakers or young renters. Our incoming residents have had several opportunities to engage socially so many are already firm friends.’’

The pet-friendly village will provide residents with a range of community facilities including a rooftop garden, café, gym, yoga and pilates zone, wine room, billiards room, library, functions room, plus retail space on the ground floor. Stage two will include the pool.

Mr Russell said the Covid pandemic had exposed the vulnerabilities of many older Australians living alone in their family homes. “Our residents in Aura’s established communities have expressed their satisfaction and appreciation of the support they received during the health crisis where many were able to live comfortably with their immediate needs met in their own apartments supported by their village managers, other staff and fellow residents.’’

Aura Holdings currently has seven projects in various stages of development in southeast Queensland, providing high-quality retirement living apartments. A new Gold Coast location at Budds Beach is under contract.

The Pavilion’s stage one was designed by O’Neill Architecture and built by Woollam Constructions.

Apartments sold from $505,000 to $1.2 million.