By Eleanor Wilson
Stockland’s Halycon Berwick has officially welcomed its first homeowners to the brand new over 50s boutique community, marking the beginnings of a new residential and commercial precinct.
Halcyon Berwick, which is located on Grices Road and Hollywood Boulevard, will be home to 175 units once construction is complete later this year.
It is located within the Minta Farm precinct, a 285 hectare plot of land which is projected to house a future population of 8500 people and will include facilities such as a sports reserve, parks and playgrounds and community centres.
Jen and Martin Rees, along with their black labrador Jessie, were some of the first residents to move into their Halcyon Berwick home, which they purchased after selling their property in Belgrave South.
Mrs Rees, who lives with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome, said the sense of community and ease of living attracted her to the estate.
“In Belgrave South we lived on quite a large property, so we have gone from having to do loads of gardening and work around the house to moving here and not having that at all, it’s just wonderful,” Mrs Rees said.
“It’s definitely an easier lifestyle and on the weekends we wanted to enjoy ourselves rather maintain the property.”
She said the over 50s community has given her a new lease on life.
“I think I really do have a newfound sense of freedom. I can get in a wheelchair, take Jessie for a walk whereas prior to this I couldn’t do that because of the stairs and the land,” she said.
“Even in the short time we’ve been here, our social life has improved with Happy Hour and Movie Night it’s been great.
“Now i’m excited for the future whereas before i felt like I was getting older.”
The estate provides a large range of facilities to keep residents social and busy, including a cinema, indoor heated swimming pool, billiard room, lounge and dining room, outdoor alfresco and BBQ areas, pizza oven, spa and gym, yoga retreat, community garden, arts and crafts centre, bowling green, pickleball and croquet court, a workshop, kitchen and bar, and even a dedicated dog wash.
Halcyon Berwick Project Director Nicky Guirguis said the development team wanted to curate the community around lifestyle.
“We believe it’s all about lifestyle at Halcyon Berwick so the hub of the community is gonna be the clubhouse where the residents can enjoy the facilities,” she said.
“It’s all about providing a community and for people looking for a sense of kinship, it’s more than just the home.”
While Halcyon’s chain of over 50s communities has been popular in Queensland for decades, Halcyon Berwick is the first of its kind outside of the state.
Ms Guirguis said sales at Halcyon Berwick have been “very positive” so far.
“We’re almost halfway through our sales…we’ve had a really good takeup so far,” she said.
