Halcyon plans second foray at Hope Island

GOLD COAST-based over 50s lifestyle developer Halcyon is poised to create its second community at Hope Island after acquiring a waterfront site in the burgeoning blue chip area.The community, Halcyon’s second on the Gold Coast and fourth in south east Queensland, will follow on from the success of its nearby Halcyon Waters development which sold out late last year.The project, named Vision by Halcyon, will take the premium over 50s brand to a new level of prestige with its inclusion of Halcyon’s first ever waterfront residences.Halcyon joint managing directors Bevan Geissmann and Paul Melville have decided to raise their stocks at Hope Island having become intimately acquainted with the area through their decade-long development of the 227-lot Halcyon Waters community.Dr Geissmann said their local experience coupled with the sales success of the company’s latest project, Halcyon Landing at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast, had whet Halcyon’s appetite for growth.“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to Halcyon Landing with more than $50 million in sales since its launch to the market in late 2012,” he said.“Clearly the over 50s market approves of what we are doing and this has given us the confidence to push ahead with a new and exciting community on the Gold Coast.”Dr Geissmann said Vision by Halcyon, on a 4.9 hectare site at Grant Avenue, would benefit from expanding facilities at Hope Island including the $20 million Arcare aged facility which opened late last year and the $6 million Mater Health Centre which commenced operations earlier in 2013.“It is located in the heart of the Coast’s burgeoning northern corridor, which is a big part of the appeal,” he said.“There’s easy access to major arterials like the Pacific Motorway and Hope Island Road as well as terrific health, shopping and lifestyle facilities nearby.”Halcyon’s financial model has made it a revolutionary template for the retirement sector, with the company’s no-exit fee model providing transparency and security for astute baby-boomer buyers.Halcyon does not charge exit or deferred management fees and buyers do not pay stamp duty on their purchase.Home owners pay a fixed weekly fee indexed to the Consumer Price Index which covers all running and management costs, as well as water and rates charges.Dr Geissmann, a medical practitioner, and lawyer Paul Melville developed the Halcyon brand in 2003 when they saw a huge gap in the retirement living market for a product that met the needs and expectations of the over 50s.Halcyon has landed a suite of acknowledgements for affordability and seniors living, including Queensland and National UDIA awards for its Halcyon Waters, Halcyon Landing and Halcyon Parks communities and is nominated for two UDIA National awards this year.