A multi-million pound block of Plymouth waterfront retirement flats is on course for completion in 2020 bringing 150 jobs to the city – and it will also include a cinema, bar and even roof-top garden.
The charitable Abbeyfield Society has celebrated the “topping out” of Mayflower Court, an 80-apartment development opposite the Millbay quayside. Topping out is a tradition in the construction industry and represents the building reaching its highest point.
It also signals that the development is on schedule to be open in spring/summer 2020, to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth to America.
The eight-storey Mayflower Court is a joint project between The Abbeyfield Society, English Cities Fund, Homes England, Plymouth City Council and WRW Construction. It is part of the vast regeneration of the Millbay area.
The Extra Care Scheme will offer tailor-made care packages to residents aged 55-plus, enabling them to live independently as singles and couples, with additional care available 24/7 where required.
The building will also encompass bariatric-friendly apartments with five specifically equipped with wheelchair users in mind.
All apartments and the common areas will be fully equipped for those affected by dementia, advancing Plymouth’s status as a dementia-friendly city.
South West construction stories
With 10 apartments for sale and the remaining 70 available as affordable rentals, the development will offer access to state-of-the-art facilities and on-site amenities, including a rooftop dining area and gardens, a cinema, a bar, and a community café.
Most Read
Many of these will be shared spaces, able to be used by individuals and groups from the surrounding area as well as the residents.
The Abbeyfield Society, which will manage the facility, is building relationships with key partners with a view to providing a “multitude of exciting activities and projects” for residents and the wider community.
About Abbeyfield
Established in 1956, the Abbeyfield Society is a charity providing housing, residential care and support to older people.
The organisation has more than 400 homes and houses in the 海角视频 and overseas, in which staff and 4,000 volunteers support 8,000 older people living in a family-like atmosphere.
The charity’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for older people.
The Abbeyfield Society’s values are caring, openness, honesty and respect.
For more information about Abbeyfield click
Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth School of Creative Arts and sailing charity Horizons Plymouth are already in discussions with Abbeyfield about creating opportunities in art for wellbeing, conservation, fitness and volunteering.
The new development will create a job opportunities too. Abbeyfield regional director, Heather Mohammed, said: “Mayflower Court will help to address the need for an independent living facility with extra care in Plymouth.
“It also creates 150 full and part-time employment opportunities. As well as committed staff, a strong volunteer team will also be essential to support the smooth operation of the care and community elements.”
In keeping with the city’s history, Mayflower Court will also host the city’s famous sculpture of gold bullion, which will be displayed within the public area at the front of the building.
Also, star-shaped plaques, each of which is a tribute to a 20th century VIP who arrived in the 海角视频 at Millbay Docks, will be built into the building’s exterior walls.
The final beam was screwed down by David McCullough, Abbeyfield Society’s chief executive. Plymouth City Council’s commissioning officer Helen Reid and Cllr Kate Taylor, cabinet member for health and adult social care, were present at the event.
Don’t miss
Mr McCullough said, “It is heartening to see great representation from our partner organisations here today.
“It is testament to our shared vision for Mayflower Court to not only be a fantastic space for residents to take advantage of, but also a place of tremendous potential value for the entire city.
“The atmosphere of the building as a place for living, not just a place to live, is already taking shape.”
Work began on Mayflower Court in late 2017. It has staircases at either end and two lift shafts – one of which is very unusual as it can be used during a fire, because the building will be home to elderly people.
The block was actually constructed around a huge tower crane, which sat on an extra strong foundation, but was made to snap apart so it could be removed by another crane.
Jon Williams, WRW managing director, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the fantastic Millbay regeneration project in Plymouth, working in a collaborative partnership with Abbeyfield.
“Our understanding of our client’s aspirations, combined with our residential experience, will ensure expectations are met for both the community and prospective residents.”
Near the Abbeyfield development, work is progressing quickly on another block of flats: Quadrant Wharf, two six-storey blocks of flats and a row of a la mode town houses.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
In total there will be 137 flats, many with breathtaking views across the water to Cornwall, the latest phase in ECf’s ongoing redevelopment of the former docks area.
The new phase sits next to Quadrant Quay, the 102-home block built by Kier for ECF and completed in 2015, and will look similar yet different enough to be distinct, particularly as some of it will be a “rustic bronze colour”.
There area also plans to build two huge hotels, flats, houses, shops, restaurants and even a temporary car park just yards from the waterside.
Three separate planning applications have been submitted which will see an area once blighted by dereliction and prostitution continue its transformation into a chic waterfront area, and create an important link in the long-heralded “boulevard” connecting to the city centre.