The company has more than 40 villages either completed or in development across New Zealand. Mt Denby is Summerset’s first village in Northland, with its first residents welcomed in January 2022, and now more than 200 people live there.
“We really try to make sure our designs are an environment where people turn up and they have the wow factor,” Tallentire said.
The various amenities were also designed with residents’ families in mind, so the spaces can be enjoyed together, he said.
The centre appears to have been given the thumbs up, with Tallentire saying a recent satisfaction survey returned a 93% positive result.
“We’ve worked hard on our designs and we’re quite proud when we think the residents are really satisfied with the end product.”
Inside the new Summerset Mt Denby village centre. Photo / Summerset
Summerset Mt Denby’s village centre was designed to be resort-like. Photo / Summerset
Summerset tipped the village centre as representing an investment of about $75 million into Whangārei, which Tallentire called “significant” for Northland.
“I think one of the other key things is just the sheer amount of jobs … created as a result of this, so not just through construction, but also through property, care, operational staff,” he said.
The construction involved about 160 people working on site and more than 54 contract companies involved, with Tallentire saying Summerset makes an effort to go local.
“I would suggest that probably at least 85% of the supply chain would come from the region,” he said.
As the village grows, a wide range of permanent roles are expected to be created, including caregivers, nurses, housekeepers and gardeners.
Tallentire noted construction challenges, included supply chain and manufacturing disruptions in the post-Covid era.
Summerset Mt Denby village manager Katrina Symonds said the centre’s opening was a significant moment for residents and staff.
“Our residents have watched this village grow into a real community, and we’re thrilled to officially open the village centre – it’s going to be the place people come together every day.”