A Lifestyle Resort Better By Design

WORDS: GemLife PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Design and meticulous attention to detail are important factors to consider

As a successful cabinetmaker and joiner, Barry Barbour knows quality when he sees it. His meticulous attention to detail is what brought Barry and his wife Narelle to GemLife Gold Coast.

“We’ve been looking at over-50s lifestyle resorts for two to three years now,” said Narelle. “And we looked everywhere. When we came to inspect GemLife, we knew this was the resort for us.”

Barry and Narelle attended a recent open day event that showcased the first of GemLife Gold Coast’s split-level homes. The brand-new display home, The Vantage, is the same design they have chosen for their own elevated site that will offer superb easterly views.

Currently living on a canal-front property in Palm Beach’s dress circle, it was important to the couple that they downsize to the same luxurious standard of home they currently enjoy. The GemLife Gold Coast home offered the quality and the space they were looking for.

The main level features a modern gourmet kitchen with a generous island bench and walk-in pantry. Open-plan living and dining areas lead onto a balcony that is large enough to host barbecues. Homeowners have their choice of a first-floor or ground-level master bedroom, each with walk-in robes and double vanity ensuites. A contemporary elevator or stairs bring you to the ground level which boasts a kitchenette and butler’s pantry with generous storage space. From here, a large living room opens out onto an expansive alfresco area.

In addition to the second master bedroom, there is a multipurpose room that could serve as an additional guest bedroom or a craft room.

The display home is one of 39 architecturally designed residences to be built in Stage One – some of which will boast city skyline views. Priced from $1.2 million, the homes deliver a generous 326sqm to 351sqm of living space and are among GemLife’s most premium to date, meticulously designed for those with a love of entertaining.

Four designs are available – the Aruma, Vantage, Panorama and Summit – each offering a spacious open-plan design with two bedrooms plus multipurpose room, ultra-high ceilings, large rear yards, two alfresco areas, louvered shade systems and designer kitchens with European appliances.

The Barbours also appreciate the low-maintenance secure lifestyle on offer at GemLife Gold Coast. “We have six kids and nine grandchildren in New Zealand, so it is important to us to be able to ‘up and leave’ knowing our home is safe,” said Narelle.

“And we also have another holiday planned. We’ll be going to India and then over to New York, then Canada before going on a cruise.” When the Barbours are not travelling, you’re bound to find them in the three-storey, 7000sqm Country Club when it opens in 2025.

“Sport? I love it!” said Barry. “I’ll be there trying everything – bowls, golf, bocce – the lot. “In fact, it was the quality of the facilities that also impressed us about GemLife – we’ve been to inspect GemLife Maroochy Quays twice and GemLife Bribie Island three times, so we know the standard of finish that we can expect from our own Country Club.”

The GemLife Gold Coast over-50s lifestyle resort will ultimately comprise 365 homes, including exclusive split-level luxury homes with city skyline views. Stage One and Two are currently under development as is the three-storey Country Club with a roof-top infinity edge pool, grand ballroom, dance floor, library, gym and yoga facilities, cinema and fully equipped gym.

The GemLife Gold Coast Experience Centre at Gemstone Drive (accessible via McCabe Avenue), in Pimpama, is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. Call 1800 325 229 or visit https://www.gemlife.com.au/gemlife-gold-coast-resort/ for details.