Ireland's largest retirement village, currently under construction in Shankill, Co Dublin, is due to be completed by the autumn of next year. The 5.5-acre Rathmichael Park development will comprise 40 houses, 33 apartments and a medical centre; 20 of the houses will be ready for sale by the end of next month with the remainder coming on stream over the next 12 months.
Prices for the two-bedroom homes will start at £225,000. Though the prices for the two-bed apartments have not yet been finalised they are likely to cost around the same level. For an additional £10,000, each home can be fitted and furnished by interior designer Claire Grimes, sourcing colour schemes and soft furnishings to buyers' specifications. The homes are being built in groups of three and four with communal front and back gardens. The complex is located on the outskirts of Shankill village, and the accent is on safe, secure but totally independent living. The entrance to the development is marked by a small stand of eucalyptus trees, reputedly the few remaining of 1,000 saplings planted to welcome Queen Victoria to Ireland. Today the general ambience is of leafy maturity.
The concept is the brainchild of property developer Pat Conlan, who is also building the village. He was previously involved in the Financial Information Services Centre and developed some of the first inner city apartments around Gardiner Street. Today, he sees the potential for quality homes for older people. "This is a retirement village, not a nursing home," he says. "It allows totally independent living while enjoying the security of living in a small community."
The architects, Ryan O'Brien Handy, have designed a number of small retirement developments in south Dublin.
Security and safety have been carefully considered. There will be audio/video intercom to entrance doors and the main gate. And each home will have a fire detection and intruder alarm, and a steel reinforced triple locking hall door.
The village will be managed by Irish Estates Management, who will look after landscaping, garden maintenance, public lighting, security, lift maintenance and refuse removal. Service charges will be from £650 annually.
Each home has been custom-built, with convenience first in mind. So all plugs are waist height, and the stairwell has a more gradual gradient than would be standard. Baths are low level with slip proof bases, and uni-taps are for easy use.
Every door entrance is wide enough for wheelchair access, and each room is wide enough for wheelchair turnaround. In the houses, a separate livingroom and smaller diningroom means that the diningroom could be converted into a ground floor bedroom if necessary. There is also a ground floor lavatory, that in some houses can be altered to incorporate a shower.
The target market is, however, the active retired or pre-retired couple: "This could also be used for storing golf clubs," says Pat Conlan, gesturing into a shelved storage room at the top of the stairs - a standard feature in all the houses.
Other standard features include: gas central heating; fully fitted kitchens which include oven and hob, fridge, washing machine and dishwasher; wardrobes in all bedrooms; fireplaces in houses and apartments; Scandinavian pine double glazed windows and doors; and recessed lighting with dimmer switches.
There is one car-parking space for each residence in the front drive, and the small front gardens are grassed and landscaped.
A purpose-built medical centre has been built at the entrance to Rathmichael Park. It will be staffed by up to four doctors/consultants plus a receptionist. While it will not be providing any medical services as part of a package, the centre has been approved by VHI, BUPA and the Medical Council of Ireland.
