The experienced team behind the development of Lady Wigram Village set out to create the ultimate retirement complex. The result is an elegant, state-of-the-art complex and thriving community, loved by those who call the village home.

WORDS Anna Scaife PHOTOGRAPHY Lisa Gane, Wayne Cook and Sarah Rowlands

THE CLUBHOUSE The communal lounge area includes a café and dining room, elegantly furnished with New Zealand made furniture selected from Montreux Furniture. — **THE CLUBHOUSE** The communal lounge area includes a café and dining room, elegantly furnished with New Zealand made furniture selected from Montreux Furniture.

For residents of Lady Wigram Village, Lex and Kay, the decision to move from their Hillsborough home with its flourishing garden into an independent living villa in the village was a ‘biggie’.

“Kay was very house proud, she loved her home and took pride in it,” says Lex, “It was me that drove our decision to move, but she absolutely loves it here. Neither of us has regretted it for one moment.”

That enthusiasm from residents is echoed by many and is music to the ears of owner John Tooby and daughter Olivia Cleave, operations manager at Lady Wigram. John has dedicated over three decades of his life to developing aged care facilities. After selling his company, Golden Healthcare Group, he set out to create a village that was head and shoulders above the rest.

APARTMENT LIVING The apartments are stylishly appointed and feature high-quality cabinetry from joinery experts, NJK. — **APARTMENT LIVING** The apartments are stylishly appointed and feature high-quality cabinetry from joinery experts, NJK.

“We wanted to build the ultimate retirement village,” says John. “There’s the pool, the movie theatre, billiard room, the bowling green. We also hold concerts and events in the communal clubhouse area – so there’s always something happening.”

Lex agrees that the facilities are a significant drawcard and says, “There’s a real sense of community and family here and it's always a very secure environment. People get involved in all the activities. I swim every day, and I am one of 33 active bowlers who make use of the green.”

From the outset, the greenfields project was ambitious, and the experienced team of Foley Group architects and Grace Builders were engaged to design and construct the village in a series of phases. The brief to Foley Group was to fulfil the client vision of a modern, timeless village featuring multiple levels of care and high-value amenities across the 6-hectare site. Foley Group architect Rob Campbell developed the overall concept and project lead Chris Snook managed the design team through the process.

PICTURED John Tooby, Chris Snook of Foley Group, Tony and Graham from Grace Builders. — **PICTURED** John Tooby, Chris Snook of Foley Group, Tony and Graham from Grace Builders.

“The success of the project is, in my opinion, due to many things but not least of all the relationship between the client, architect and builder. And in this case every time I visit the village it is easy to see how it has become a thriving hub of happy residents,” says Rob Campbell.

Grace Builders has worked with John Tooby for over 20 years, and they built on a relationship based on mutual trust, respect and loyalty while working together on the Lady Wigram project. Tony Posthuma of Grace Builders says, “The Lady Wigram Retirement Village is the single largest project we have undertaken. Our brief was to project manage and construct the village from start to finish. The biggest challenge is the scale of the build, but we relished the challenge. We have worked alongside capable and enthusiastic subcontractors who all work well together very harmoniously most of the time!”

One of those trusted subcontractors is Fitzwilliam Electrical, proudly run by Angus Neaves. The established company worked alongside Grace Builders to complete the electrical installation for new units at Lady Wigram.“We’re proud of the service that we provide to our customers,” says Angus. “That and our ability to respond quickly with a solution is our point of difference.”

At the outset of the project, the groundworks and site preparation was the work of Maugers Contracting, tasked with roading, earthworks and civil construction as well as assisting with the landscaping work. There were some challenges on this large project, but it’s nothing the experienced team hasn’t dealt with before. Garrick Liggins from Maugers says, “We keep a very organised site, and we coordinate the work seamlessly with the other contractors to make sure the site runs perfectly.”

The village now boasts a two-storey communal clubhouse, 101 independent living villas, apartments and onsite state-of-the-art care facilities. Walking in through the main doors, you are welcomed into an elegant foyer with high ceilings and a grand fireplace. Light streams in through the impressive skylights which were supplied and installed by Monarch Aluminium, the company who provided the aluminium joinery throughout the village.

It was important to John and Olivia to create a boutique feel to the environment and interiors of both the communal areas, as well as the villas and apartments and care facilities. Olivia says, “We have done everything we can to create an environment where our residents will feel secure and enjoy a sense of community as well as beautiful surroundings.”

FATHER AND DAUGHTER TEAM John Tooby and Olivia Cleave. — **FATHER AND DAUGHTER TEAM** John Tooby and Olivia Cleave.

Interior designer Georgie Kirkcaldie Inglis selected quality fixtures and fittings to achieve the high-end hotel look that’s both elegant and inviting. A collaboration with The Flooring Centre resulted in the selection of Plantation European oak timber flooring which runs throughout much of the lower level with custom Ege carpets from Belgotex used in the lounges, halls, entertainment areas and entrance as well as a luxurious Belgotex carpet in the bedrooms. Steve Musson from The Flooring Centre says, “It has been a real pleasure to undertake the work at Lady Wigram, as every detail has been well thought out by the builders and project team, enabling our team to undertake all work in a realistic timeframe in areas isolated from other trades. This is a special project for us, creating a loved home for the residents. It was paramount that the flooring is not only beautiful but functional.”

Whether the residents choose villa living, one or two-bedroom apartment, or the care facility, the same level of attention to detail has gone into the design of the interiors. In the bathrooms, the team sought the help of industry leaders Oakleys Plumbing Supplies. Lisa Lemon from Oakleys says, “We have worked with the Lady Wigram team since the beginning of this project, selecting high-quality New Zealand-made products that are tried and tested over time.”

Joinery manufacture and installation were entrusted to Paul Campbell from Not Just Kitchens (NJK). The company has worked with John and Grace Builders for several years and joined them to coordinate the joinery for this significant and somewhat daunting build. Paul says, “It has been, and still is a pleasure to be working on this project with John Tooby and Grace Builders and great to have their trust in NJK to produce the joinery for the Lady Wigram Retirement Village. It is a truly stunning development and a testament to John’s vision of providing the most modern facility with everything that anyone would ever need to live more than comfortably. It’s a great asset for the city.”

The project has been underway since 2015 and John is understandably proud of the results. The family-owned and operated business aims to create a unique, safe and welcoming environment where their residents can feel at home.

Creating a link between spatial design and architecture is important, and Olivia worked with creative agency Publica to design a brand identity that reflects the state-of the-art facility and modern feel. Publica echoed the Lady Wigram team's personal approach to working relationships, collaborating to position the brand identity in line with the elevated and elegant design of the complex.

“Every touchpoint needed to instil trust in Lady Wigram residents, and their loved ones, while also giving the distinctive comforting feeling of home,” says Mark Spurgeon, Managing Partner of Publica.

John is delighted with the result of the successful collaboration of the team responsible for delivering on their vision. “We are thrilled, and it’s all down to the skill and teamwork from Grace Builders, Foley Group and all of the fantastic subcontractors and suppliers who have worked hard to get us to this point,” says John.

Olivia adds, “We are a family-owned and operated business, and that means we are onsite and available to make decisions, unlike large corporates. It’s very satisfying to see our residents enjoying their home and making the most of the facilities every day.”