Sleek interiors, modern and beautifully detailed, Northbridge Lifecare Trust’s V Apartments wouldn’t look out of place alongside Auckland’s most exclusive retirement developments. Located in the heart of a 5.8-hectare retirement village in Northcote, the development represents the changing face of senior living in New Zealand.

Opened by Auckland Mayor Phil Goff in July 2018, the build incorporates 31 high-end living units, as well as extensive facilities, over five storeys.

Northbridge Life Care Trust was founded on a ‘care for life’ principle, which is essentially a full continuum of care service, from independent living right through to dementia and hospital care. V Apartments is designed for self-sufficient older residents, with the clear intention to extend the independent living phase for as long as possible – an important consideration for the health and happiness of occupants.

This is reflected in the interior design. Spacious and open-planned, much thought is given to the flow between living zones, as well as the accessibility of appliances and fixtures. Residents also enjoy access to an onsite day pavilion, swimming pool, gymnasium, movie theatre, as well as secure basement parking.

One of the main challenges faced by the project was the steep, narrow strip of site it occupies, bounded by two roads on the campus. However, the design solution cleverly turns complexity into a key benefit, allowing each unit to be dual aspect, maximising natural daylight on both sides. This also enhances residents’ panoramic outlook throughout the building with framed moments of beauty across to the nearby wetlands.