Central Western Daily

Developer seeks feedback on potential over 55s luxury community for Orange

Developer seeks feedback on potential over 55s luxury community for Orange
Developer seeks feedback on potential over 55s luxury community for Orange

This is branded content for Oakstand.

Daydreaming about your future retirement? Planning for the time when you can slow down and relax or perhaps get all those things done that you didn't have time for when you were hard at work?

Making these plans can include some hard decisions about where you're going to live, and often involve the choice to downsize from a large family property to one that comes with less home maintenance and more lifestyle.

For those thinking of their next move and investigating their options, there's an exciting possibility on the horizon in the thriving regional city of Orange.

Oakstand, the property group behind some of Sydney's most premium quality residential developments, is considering including a unique luxury resort-style estate designed specially for the over 55s as part of its first regional development that's now underway in the popular central western destination.

And in line with its philosophy of designing developments that put its customers' needs first, it's calling for public feedback on the idea via a survey to gauge both its potential viability and how to improve the offering.

Oakstand this month settled on its purchase of its 20 hectare site situated within Orange City Council's newly masterplanned Shiralee DCP. The site offers dramatic views over Mount Canobolas and is just around the corner from the renowned Philip Shaw winery. The newly-developed Orange Private Hospital is also conveniently nearby.

Incorporating expansive open green space and parklands, Oakstand's planned development, Hillside, will offer a range of house and land packages, rural lifestyle blocks, freestanding homes and townhouses to be released over multiple stages.

A 12-hectare section of the land fronting a park and including a small lake is where Oakstand is considering developing the separate over-55s estate.

Oakstand founder and CEO David Cullen said the company had identified a gap in the property market in Orange for over-55s buyers looking for retirement living opportunities.

"We feel there could be real value in creating a unique luxury development that caters to the needs of this mature downsizing market," said Mr Cullen, who's based in Sydney now but grew up in regional NSW, on a farm at Coonamble that his family still runs.

"The idea is for this to be a sanctuary for socialising and lifestyle, with very high quality landscaping and beautiful mature trees, good quality homes designed to meet the needs of this market, and community facilities that support their lifestyle."

Among the possible community facilities being considered for the development are a clubhouse, private dining rooms, communal vegetable gardens, a gym, and men's shed style workshops.

Since its launch in 2004, Oakstand has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, architecturally-designed projects in some of Sydney's most exclusive suburbs.

Mr Cullen said Oakstand's experience in delivering previous masterplanned residential communities showed the positive benefits they delivered to those looking for downsizing options.

"We developed Spring Cove in Manly which was overwhelmingly bought by people over 55," said Mr Cullen. "The common feedback we receive from people in this group is that they wished they had made the move sooner, downsized sooner, saying they've got no lawns to mow, they're socialising again and have neighbours they catch up with every evening."

While Oakstand has been actively searching for opportunities in regional areas for the last two years, Orange had been at the top of its list of most sought after destinations.

"Orange in our minds is one of the most appealing places. It's got all those great amenities people want," he said.

"The town has a good buzz to it, there are good wineries, good restaurants, good hospitals, strong employment, good transport links. The list goes on."

Mr Cullen said Oakstand's mission with Hillside was to create a development that would become a vibrant addition to Orange and add value to the region for the long term.

"Seeking feedback from the community on the various features is a key part of that," he said. "At the end of the day we want to make sure we're satisfying consumer demand and that what we are providing is right for our customers."

To take part in Oakstand's survey and help shape the future of Orange click here. You could win a private tour for yourself and five friends courtesy of Country Food Trails.

To find out more about Hillside or register for Stage 1 of the first release visit www.hillsideorange.com.au/home

This is branded content for Oakstand.