STAFF at a luxury retirement village in Malvern celebrated the completion of its first phase.
Employees at Audley Ellerslie, located off Wells Road, hosted a special afternoon get-together to mark the opening of 16 apartments and one cottage.
The first phase has taken a year-and-a-half to complete and the remaining 84 apartments are expected to be built early next year.
Built in 1855, the Ellerslie mansions, one of which is a Grade II* listed building, are being transformed into 101 properties for those over the age of 60.
Nick Sanderson, chief executive of Audley Retirement, welcomed guests to the event including Conservative Parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire Harriett Baldwin, Audley home owners and members of the town community to celebrate the key development milestone.
“We are all very proud to mark this milestone in the completion of the first phase at Ellerslie,” he said.
“The phase completion event allows us to celebrate the achievements of all those who have worked on the project, from tradesmen to architects.
“We will now be looking ahead to the next few months, when we will have the opportunity to welcome new owners to the village.
“There has already been incredible demand for properties at Audley Ellerslie, demonstrating the continued need for innovative and high quality retirement living options.”
Once fully complete Audley Ellerslie will create up to 65 new jobs in the community ranging from sales members to restaurant staff and gardeners.
Mrs Baldwin added: “I am delighted that the old Ellerslie School building has been converted into what will clearly be quite beautiful properties.
“I was delighted to be asked to join the celebrations and I was interested to meet people who have already bought some of the new apartments.
“I want to congratulate Nick Sanderson and his team for delivering such a sympathetic development.
“There is clearly high demand for smaller properties for people looking to downsize and it’s great to see people discovering the pleasures of living in the beautiful Malvern Hills.”
