With a high percentage of the population over 55 driving the demand for retirement housing in South Africa, Amdec Group’s Evergreen retirement lifestyle estates are selling fast.
South Africa’s first national retirement brand offers residents a relaxed, social and enjoyable retirement lifestyle, along with health, financial and physical security. “There is a demand for quality and hassle free retirement as we move away from the more traditional old age home. People are looking for a quality life with all of the added benefits,” says Amdec Group CEO, James Wilson.
Amdec is a privately-owned property development and investment business recognised as South Africa’s leading developer of New Urban lifestyles, beside the successful Evergreen Lifestyles brand, its pioneering portfolio includes the iconic Melrose Arch mixed-use precinct and many other iconic developments.
Evergreen’s five retirement villages are secluded, safe and idyllic, situated in popular suburbs close to amenities like shopping centres, private hospitals, and sport and leisure facilities.
Evergreen Broadacres in leafy northern Johannesburg, recently launched a third phase that offers larger houses. Wilson explains, “This is in response to the demand for bigger, secure retirement homes. The demographic of the northern suburbs and Sandton areas don’t want to drop their standards when they retire. They want the added benefits of security and health care, but still want their gardens and other pleasures. People don’t want to change their lifestyles and, while they may scale down to a certain extent, it’s not a dramatic change.”
Evergreen Bergvliet Village is sold out with a waiting list, Evergreen Diep River has only five apartments left and Evergreen at Lake Michelle is selling out fast. The original Evergreen retirement lifestyle estate in Muizenberg is expanding its offering to include apartments, which will launch at the end of the November.
It is little wonder that Amdec is responding to this high demand with plans to develop new Evergreen villages in Noordhoek, Somerset West, Val de Vie, Port Elizabeth, Hilton and Howick.
A large part of its attraction is the parkland atmosphere in Evergreen villages, with walkways, benches and ponds providing welcome tranquillity and the backdrop to a variety of architect-designed homes, cottages and apartments offering a broad choice of stylish accommodation.
“The most important considerations for people looking at moving into a retirement home are of course security, quality of life, and hassle-free healthcare. Proximity to extended family is also a major deciding factor, as is a sense of community. People also like to keep active, so a large variety of activities factor prominently when deciding on a retirement village,” says Wilson.
Keeping these considerations in mind, Evergreen Lifestyle Centres aim to foster the natural formation of communities and are bustling with clubs, activities and interaction. Facilities include dining rooms, lounges, bars, games rooms, coffee bars, heated pools, gyms and libraries.
Because location is also so important, Evergreen villages have specifically been developed in metropolitan areas. “This affords people the opportunity to buy within their comfort zone, more specifically in areas where they are used to living. This provides a sense of familiarity as they stay with the same clubs, doctors, church groups and so forth,” says Wilson.
Amdec Group uses the Life rights model, as opposed to free hold or sectional title, and Evergreen is amongst the smaller number of retirement villages that offer it. “Perhaps the biggest advantage of buying in Evergreen is the fact that you are dealing with a reputable developer, giving you peace of mind about the quality of the buildings. That assurance comes with hassle-free maintenance which is fully comprehensive as a result of the life rights model.”
