When retiree Bev Hall relaxes on her spacious north-facing terrace overlooking Jack Merlo-designed gardens next summer, she’ll be thinking about holidays, not getting the

lawns mown or ringing the plumber.Downsizing to a luxury apartment in the Warleigh Brighton

will give her the freedom to live life to the full without the ties of home and garden maintenance. The Bay Street village and the North Brighton train station are a two-minute stroll around the corner and Hall is looking forward to a 15-minute train trip to the city.

“One of the big changes in my demographic is that we are always busy. We’re out doing courses, meeting friends, going to events and travelling. We’re not sitting at home baking, waiting for people to visit. I don’t want to be at home all the time. I want the freedom to come and go. Selling a larger home also gives you the financial freedom to pursue your interests,” Hall says.

After raising five children and a career in private investment, Hall is making the most of life. Despite researching apartment developments for some time, she had found none that met her strict criteria until she walked into the Warleigh’s sales office in Bay Street, Brighton, recently.

“I come from the peninsula, so I wanted a bayside suburb and to be close to a train station to get into the city quickly, without having to drive. The location had to have a village atmosphere, and of course there had to be fabulous coffee close by.

“I wanted a north-facing apartment with quality finishes and two bedrooms and two bathrooms, so family and friends can stay,” Hall said.

The Warleigh ticked all of Hall’s criteria. When she saw the quality of the Warleigh’s first completed apartment, she says she knew this was where she had to buy. The offer of a 5 per cent deposit and being able to move in by Christmas this year sealed the deal.

“The apartments here are the best I have seen – they are spacious with timeless interiors and quality finishes. My guests will not only have their own en suite, they’ll also have a car park because my apartment has two car parks, not just one.”

Hall says Bay Street is one of the few high streets that still has a village feel – where you can get to know the shopkeepers and become part of the village.

“I want to be part of a community and here that starts with the

Bay Street village, where everyone is very friendly. I will have the best of both worlds, living in a lovely quiet, residential street

around the corner from Bay Street and North Brighton train station. I will have the time to do interesting things without having to worry about the garden or even putting the rubbish out. I can see myself still living here comfortably and safely when I am an old lady.”

The Warleigh Brighton has 39 apartments in the Luxe building, 62 apartments in Domaine and seven luxury

townhouses designed by SJB Architects, all with larger floor plans and competitive price points. More than half of the 9015-square metre site is dedicated to Jack Merlo-designed lawns and gardens and a tree-lined entrance avenue. The $100 million development of the former North Brighton Croquet Club by Cbus Property, backed by building and construction industry superannuation fund Cbus, is scheduled for completion later this year.

Homes have double-glazing; video intercom, integrated air-conditioning, Miele stainless-steel kitchen appliances, stone benchtops, and wool-blend carpets. Apartments have designated parking and secure basement storage and the townhouses have double garages with internal access. \

LIZ MCLACHLAN lmclachlan@theweeklyreview.com.au

The Warleigh BrighTon

locaTion Bay Street’s boutiques, cafés, fresh food shops and cinemas are a stroll away, around the corner on Bay Street, and the North Brighton train station is just two minutes’ walk from The Warleigh

Brighton. By car, the city is 11 kilometres away and a network of walking and cycling trails links the bay, the CBD and beyond. \

posTcode 3186

luxe exTerior

Bev hall

developing our city

The Warleigh BrighTon

Address \ 30-42 Warleigh Grove, Brighton

Developer \ Cbus Property

Architect \ SJB Architects

Interior design \ SJB Interiors

Landscaping \ Jack Merlo Design

Sales \ Matt Bracken, 0402 098 888

Display \ 30 Warleigh Grove, Brighton

Open \ Seven days by appointment

Sales office \ 369 Bay Street, Brighton

Open \ Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 11am-2pm or by appointment

» www.thewarleighbrighton.com.au

pricing guide

Luxe Two-bedroom $865,000 to $1.1 million two bathrooms, two cars Three-bedroom $1.35 million to $1.495 million

Domaine One-bedroom, plus study $620,000 Two-bedroom $719,000 to $885,000 two bathrooms, two cars Three-bedroom $1.175 million to $1.25 million

The Residences (only three left) Three-bedroom townhouse from $1.85 million

sTandard feaTures

l Miele stainless-steel kitchen appliancesl Stone kitchen benchtops l Timber veneer and 2pac joineryl Stone vanities in Domainel Marble vanities in Luxe and The Residencesl Frameless glass shower screensl Premium wool carpet in living and bedroomsl Built-in wardrobesl Separate or European laundry l Timber decking to ground-floor courtyards and

apartment balconiesl Low-maintenance soft landscaping to

private courtyards l Fully ducted reverse-cycle air-conditioning

eco green raTing

l Average six-star energy ratingl Rainwater tanksl Grey water recyclingl Energy-efficient lighting l Water-efficient sanitary fittingsl Double-glazing throughout

faciliTies

l Tree-lined avenuel Grand lobbies with visitor seatingl Lawns and gardens with tree-shaded daybeds l Video intercom, basement storage and bike racks

26 The weekly review \ AUGUST 7, 2013