Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has marked a significant milestone in the construction of its latest development, the Hampton Court Estate, located near Hampton Court Palace. The topping-out ceremony, which took place recently, was attended by prospective residents and Birchgrove’s Chief Executive, Honor Barratt, who participated by inserting a ceremonial roof tile, signifying the completion of the construction phase.
The Hampton Court Estate will feature 78 contemporary, self-contained assisted living apartments, catering to the needs of independently minded renters aged 65 and over. The development will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, alongside extensive communal facilities designed to enhance residents’ quality of life. These facilities will comprise a restaurant, club room, licensed bar, wellness suite, library, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Research commissioned by Birchgrove has highlighted the positive impact of the Hampton Court Estate on the local housing market. The project is expected to create a total of 107 bedrooms while simultaneously freeing up an additional 179 family housing units in the area. This means that a net increase of 72 bedrooms could be made available on the private market through the establishment of assisted living accommodations, addressing the ongoing housing shortage in the locality.
Since launching its first community in 2019, Birchgrove has expanded its portfolio to include four operational rented communities in the South-East. A fifth community is scheduled to open later this year in Godalming, Surrey, while the Hampton Court Estate will become the sixth Birchgrove community and the second in London, following the Mill Hill community. This new estate is expected to welcome its first residents in 2025, with three more communities currently under construction.
The expansion of Birchgrove’s portfolio comes at a time when there is a chronic shortage of high-quality retirement properties for individuals aged 65 and over in the South-East, alongside a growing demand for rented accommodation tailored to senior living. According to the English Housing Survey, the number of pensioners living in rented accommodation is projected to double to over 1 million in the next decade.
Speaking at the topping-out ceremony, Honor Barratt expressed pride in reaching this milestone, stating, “I’m immensely proud to have topped out our sixth baby. We only delivered our first in 2019, so to be scaling at this rate is both a testament to the Birchgrove team and our backers, and a clear indicator of surging market demand for high-quality senior living rented accommodation.”
Barratt added, “We’re so excited to be launching Hampton Court Estate in 2025 – the local oldies won’t know what hit them.” This enthusiasm underscores Birchgrove’s commitment to providing high-quality housing options for older adults, as well as its role in alleviating some of the housing pressures faced in the region.
As the development progresses towards its opening, potential residents and the wider community can look forward to a modern and supportive living environment tailored to their needs. For more information on Birchgrove visit www.birchgrove.life
