Developer Halcyon has launched the Halcyon Glades and Vision by Halcyon communities, two ‘over 50s’ projects designed by DC8Studio to respond to the changing lifestyle needs of baby boomer buyers – those born between 1946 and 1964.

Located in south east Queensland, at Caboolture and Hope Island, both communities break away from traditional ideas surrounding seniors living, and seek to provide for retired but active people.

Instead of ‘retiring’, the focus has therefore been on ‘retreading’– a notion strongly reflected in the brief, and fulfilled by emphasising on a strong sense of community connection in the design process.

“Our approach goes beyond the design of the dwelling and integrates it with the design of the community realm to create a stronger and more cohesive design outcome,” says DC8Studio director Riccardo Rizzalli.

“We brought this approach to both projects and made modifications to the masterplans that created designs that will grow with the community and help create a truly better place to live.”

Vision by Halcyon

The homes are primarily designed for different price points, and have features varying from simple veranda spaces on the fronts of houses that promote interaction between home owners, to outdoor rooms that allow the houses to breathe in the Queensland climate.

Other initiatives include the incorporation of spaces between houses, which facilitates community building and interaction.

According to Halcyon, the release of Halcyon Glades and Vision by Halcyon comes as industry research points to a growing trend of baby boomers staying in their current homes for longer due to a lack of suitable retirement housing.

A report released by affordable housing company Lifestyle Communities in April shows not enough homes of the right size, with the right fittings and location, are available for Australia’s retiring boomers. This lack of building stock constricts their ability to downsize – whilst constricting supply for first home owners.

Surveying their own residents also revealed that nearly half were dependent on the sale of their family home – usually their greatest asset – to sustain their current lifestyle into their later years.

“The downsizing process involves freeing up capital for retirees to spend on recreational pursuits or general living expenses. But today’s baby boomers have high expectations of their retirement lifestyle, so location and design of the home are both vitally important,” says Halcyon joint managing director, Bevan Geissmann.

Halcyon Bli Bli community's Marengo, which will be available at Vision by Halcyon

To ensure these expectations are met, Halcyon Glades and Vision by Halcyon both feature homes with large living and entertaining spaces both inside and out, with a focus on open plan living.

The communities also feature eight star energy ratings, thanks to thermal insulation, light coloured roofing, gas hot water systems and reticulated rainwater systems.

Halcyon Glades Leisure Centre

Halcyon Glades represents the developer’s most affordable price point to date. Consisting of 178 homes, it include a swimming pool, spa, gym, cinema, massage room, tennis court, library, bowling green, and recreation centre with bar, kitchen and dining facilities.

Vision by Halcyon is the more expensive of the two, and offers 88 luxury homes – some with waterfront views – a 52-berth marina, and a lifestyle and aquatic precinct.

Vision by Halcyon