Commencement in Chester for Thrive Living Flagship Development
History was made in Chester as Elliott Group welcomed their client along with special guests to witness pupils from local schools bury a timecapsule onsite. The event marked the official commencement of works at the pioneering new integrated retirement community development in Boughton Heath, Chester which will be whole of life net zero carbon.
The young pupils from Christleton Primary School and Boughton Heath Academy along with their teachers lowered the timecapsule containing their ideas for the city’s future on the site. It will be opened in 2050 to coincide with the UK’s target to reach net zero emissions. See photos below.
The project consists of 155 apartments across 6 No new residential apartment blocks and focuses on community and the natural environment for its residents with a generous landscape design and amenity areas. A restaurant, café, wellness area on the grounds will be open to people from the surrounding area as well as residents.
Elliott Group commented on the having received a warm welcome in the area and look forward to working with our partners as well as local businesses and communities.
Eddie Campion, Regional Director UK for Elliott Group commented on the day saying:
“We look forward to creating a vibrant and meaningful space that will ultimately be enjoyed by the community and its members for generations to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Retirement Villages Group to make this vision a reality. Elliott Group shares the vision and values of Retirement Villages Group for this unique retirement community and will ensure the commitment is maintained to create a positive and lasting impact. We have been impressed by the students’ engagement, and we look forward to working with them and their teachers throughout the project to create a community space that reflects the area’s identity.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Will Bax, Chief Executive Officer at Retirement Villages Group, said:
“We’re incredibly excited to have broken ground on building our newest community in Chester. It’s clear that we are not alone in wanting more positive life choices for older people. We’ve been delighted by the high level of local interest and engagement. It’s clear this is as an extension to the city, and we’ve shaped our proposals with facilities and amenities that respond to the community needs. Today was about bringing the community together to mark a major milestone. But also make sure what we build is relevant to younger generations. We loved hearing the views of the talented pupils of our two local schools on the importance of sustainability and how we can all make the changes we need to deliver a healthy planet. The fact that their grandparents will have the chance to support this future by moving into this net zero carbon community was an interesting talking point.”
Set to open in late 2024, the Chester community is part of Retirement Villages’ Thrive Living collection, a new approach to urban and integrated retirement communities which is designed to promote active, independent lifestyles.
The new community will deliver a £39m boost to the local economy, creating more than 300 jobs through the construction process. It will also increase spending in the local area by £1.5 million every year and create 30 full time jobs.
Elliott Group would like to sincerely thank our project team, our client, our design team and our partners.