Delivering Ultra-High-End Homes for Retirees

The market for homes exclusively available to buyers of retirement age is growing, but as we find out from Karen Mulville , co-founder of Auriens with business partner Johnny Sandelson, there’s now a new opportunity on the way for buyers in the ultra-luxury sector.

Karen, please tell us a little about Auriens and why you started this venture.

The idea was born from my own and my business partner Johnny’s experiences of looking after our own parents when they were most in need. We’re both based in London and really struggled to find somewhere for them to live that wasn’t either miles away from us or simply uninspiring. Many developments weren’t offering the lifestyle they were accustomed to.

Please give us an overview of the Chelsea project you are working on.

Our first Auriens development will be based on Dovehouse Street, just off the Kings Road in Chelsea. It’s a brand-new lifestyle concept and luxury development for over 65s that challenges the traditional conventions of later life living. Our aim is to redefine retirement through offering the very best in design, technology, service, care and innovation. We want to build a community, offering our residents everything they need to live a life full of vitality right on their doorstep. We’re also incubating some of the latest, most innovative care concepts for later lifers that will be available in all apartments and tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual.

What inspired you to set such a high standard for the development?

There seems to be a common perception that the elderly don’t require anything to be attractive, design-led or modern, whereas the reality is the opposite. The next generation to be facing this stage of life are the baby boomers; they are tech savvy, have a zest for life, and the ONS predicts that their longevity is rising, with over eight million expected to reach centenarian age. We wanted to cater for this demographic and in doing so create a development that pushes boundaries in its drive to improve life for the elderly.

The quality of the properties is just one aspect of Auriens Chelsea - what can residents expect in terms of lifestyle amenities and services?

There will be 55 apartments at Dovehouse Street, with our communal and amenity spaces taking up over a third of the building. Facilities include a spa, gym, valet, pet parlour, wine cellar, cinema, a library designed by David Linley’s interior design studio and gardens by RHS Chelsea Flower Show multiple award-winning Andy Sturgeon. 

We also have an exclusive partnership with Draycott Nursing, which has looked after the capital’s most high-profile clientele for the past twenty years, to offer care services ranging from just a few hours per week up to 24 hours per day for our residents if they need it.

How can these be personalised to accommodate each resident's needs and wishes?

We realise that every individual is different and will have varying requirements, so we have designed the development to be as flexible as possible.  A range of  technology can be built in and activated if desired, and careful consideration in the construction has been taken for future proofing to ensure residents can stay in their homes for as long as possible.

Innovative technology has a major role in this development – which are the most notable tech elements and how do they benefit residents?

Residents can select a range of different features, including NAS- developed radar technology that will detect falls and alert a member of staff or your family should you be in need of help. Kitchens will all contain motorised cabinets that lower to an easily reachable height and all rooms will have the option to use circadian lighting, designed to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) – a technology which won a Nobel Prize at the end of 2017. Facilities such as lighting and heating can be controlled by traditional switches, or via a central control panel at our residents’ discretion. We also have a number of exciting technologies in development, including voice control functions for all apartments and the option to activate  a monitoring system that notifies the care team if the oven or fridge door is left open.

What aspirations does Auriens have for future developments?

At the moment the focus is on our Dovehouse Street development, but we’re not ruling anything out. It would be great to eventually see Auriens residences in different UK cities, or even across the world. However, it’s not just about properties for us, it’s about transforming the lives and the experiences of later lifers in a positive way.

How can prospective clients get first-hand knowledge of the properties you are offering?

They can visit our website or make an appointment to visit the show studio in Chelsea to see our vision brought to life.

For further information, please visit www.auriens.com or call 020 8031 0783.