Apartments
Historically many people in retirement prefer living on one floor, therefore from the outset ECA provided apartments. Apart from 1 one bedroom flat
at Manor Court, Pewsey and 3 in the conversion of Fullands House at Taunton, where space dictated otherwise, all apartments have contained a minimum of two bedrooms - on the basis that couples may each need their own bedroom. The standard design for an apartment in recent times has been: a long sitting/dining room, which could be sub divided as required; a large double bedroom with en suite bathroom; a second double bedroom; a shower room; storage cupboards and a kitchen.
However it was not until our fourth development at Lyefield Court that ECA produced a development where the majority of properties were apartments; the idea being that, as Lyefield Court was on the outskirts of Reading, purchasers might be more used to apartment living and the additional security that this provided.
Therefore 16 apartments were built in
two groups of eight, each group in the shape of a cross, at the centre of which, beneath an impressive dome, was an entrance hall, from which led four apartments on each floor – those on the first floor being serviced by a grand stair case, fitted with a stair lift.
The importance of this design was that not only did it allow for light and airy apartments, but all 16 were able to enjoy views over the grounds on two sides - and eight of them views on three sides. Ground floor apartments were able to have a small garden, whilst those on the first floor enjoyed French windows leading on to a covered balcony. This design later influenced apartment construction on other developments.
To date the Association has four purpose built, all apartment, developments. At the Vinery
in Torquay, a magnificent building of two and three bedroom apartments, the design matches the finest classical traditions of the town, complete with a roof garden and conservatory, from which residents enjoy spectacular views over the bay.
Wyke Mark is a luxurious courtyard style development in a wooded Winchester suburb: Sandbourne Court is an elegant cliff top development in Bournemouth’s fashionable residential area, overlooking Alum Chine and a short walk from the shops: and Les Blancs Bois designed as a collegiate style development of 42 self contained apartments in Castel, Guernsey, based on the traditional Guernsey farm house – and set in beautiful mature grounds.