Property Week 22 November 2024
Never too late to rent
Honor Barratt, head of retirement living specialist Birchgrove, tells Andy Hillier at Property Week about the success of its rental model, against the odds, and plans for expansion.
The Times 23 August 2024
Why renting in retirement should not be a taboo
The Telegraph 14 February 2024
Living with my granddaughter is stimulating
Student digs don’t get more decadent than Ayrton House in London’s Mill Hill, a chic newbuild with a bar, restaurant, gym and 60 large lateral apartments that don’t cost much more than a grotty single room in halls.
The Sunday Times 10 October 2021
Right rental age
Rentals are set to overtake retirement property sales as companies target both wealthy and cash-strapped senior citizens, finds Jane Slade
Renting isn’t just for the young. More of the older generation are turning away from home ownership in favour of retirement rentals.
The Mail on Sunday 22 July 2018
Rent your way to riches
In America, Australia and on the Continent, renting in retirement is much more popular than here. The British obsession with home ownership means we are keener than those in other countries to tie up our money in property.
But there was 13 per cent increase in retired renters here between 2012 to 2016, according to the National Landlords Association, and Scottish Widows recently predicted figures will double to nine million by 2022.
Property Week 19 September 2023
Birchgrove acquires London BTR scheme worth 68m
Later living developer Birchgrove has paid Octagon Developments £38m for a 78-apartment build-to-rent (BTR) scheme in Hampton Court, London, with a projected gross development value (GDV) of £68m.
HealthInvestor 04 September 2023
Birchgrove: Marcus Hodges and Raphaël Koifman
Rented retirement home provider Birchgrove has appointed Marcus Hodges as chief operations officer and Raphaël Koifman as chief financial officer.
30 January 2023
Woodbank Apartments celebrates second anniversary
Woodbank Apartments in Hook Heath, Woking – an assisted living community for people in later life - celebrated its second anniversary on 27 October 2022 with a magic-themed event.
25 January 2023
Reimagine ageing with Birchgrove
Old age is a condition not everyone gets to experience. Some might call that a privilege. But often, the thought of getting older fills individuals with anxiety, a sense of resignation, or even dread.
HealthInvestor 17 October 2022
Seniors housing deal of the year
Birchgrove, the specialist property developer, plans, builds and operates assisted living developments exclusively for the rental market. Whilst other companies offer rental apartments, Birchgrove is the only operator to position its business exclusively with renters in mind.
Woking and Surrey Advertiser 20 July 2022
A future proofed home
As we get older, our housing needs change. The family house can suddenly seem too big and expensive to manage, the stairs that bit trickier, and the efforts we have to go to maintain it all leave us little time or energy to do the things we want to spend time doing.
Chiswick Herald 18 July 2022
Police station to become retirement homes
Birchgrove, the developer which purchased the site of Chiswick Police Station, has announced plans to convert it into retirement homes.
LaingBuisson 13 July 2022
Birchgrove purchases seventh site
Developer of rental retirement properties Birchgrove has purchased a site in Chiswick, west London, and received planning consent to redevelop a plot in Leatherhead, Surrey.
Surrey Homes 11 March 2022
High marks
At Birchgrove we pride ourselves on putting our residents at the centre of everything we do.
That’s why we’re over the moon with the results of our latest customer satisfaction survey
at our retirement community Woodbank Apartments, Woking.
Woking News & Mail 03 March 2022
Finding community
People are loving the ease of our rental model and the speed at which they can move into a
Birchgrove retirement community.
Abode 2 20 January 2022
Generation rent
It’s not just the promise of spas, restaurants, and apartments driving the luxury retirement property market today – but a mouth-watering menu of rental choices.
Woking News & Mail 20 January 2022
Home visit transformed my life
Assisted living has been a popular lifestyle choice for many years, and it’s not hard to see
why. Security, freedom, new friends and a fresh start are all enticing reasons to make the
move.
Health Investor 06 January 2022
M&G and Birchgrove partner
M&G Real Estate, part of M&G’s £65 billion private assets division, has acquired two developments managed by assisted living operator Birchgrove Holdings.
Woking News & Mail 06 January 2022
Moving ahead
As we start the new year, we may feel cautious or optimistic about what the future holds. We hope there will be plenty of opportunities to spend time with the people we love, doing the things we enjoy.
Woking News & Mail 01 January 2022
Renting in retirement
With winter rushing at us and only a few weeks until Christmas, it’s usually a time when some sort of thinking and planning gets underway. Maybe it is a cue for change, and time to look at a retirement option that could be practically perfect in every way.
Surrey Advertiser 24 December 2021
Thinking begins with difficult questions
There’s a saying that goes ‘thinking begins when you ask difficult questions.’ The rent versus buy question is an age-old debate and the right answer will be nuanced by your own personal circumstances and the lifestyle you want going forward.
Woking and Surrey Advertiser 01 November 2021
How to choose a retirement community
So, you’re getting on a bit and your home and garden is becoming more of a burden and a chore than the joy it once used to be when the family gathered around the kitchen table for long leisurely family dinners.
Surrey Comet 29 October 2021
Market leaders in retirement rentals
AN INCREASING number of retirees are choosing to rent over buying in the UK, with current figures predicted to double and reach nine million by 2022, according to Scottish Widows.
Bromley News Shopper 03 September 2021
So much more than lovely apartments
Rosanne had been thinking about moving into a retirement community since her husband died, and when her daughter told her she was moving away to Yorkshire to follow her lifelong dream, she knew she couldn’t delay any further. Here’s her story and observations on life in a time of Coronavirus from her new home at Woodbank Apartments.
News Shopper 10 June 2021
Planning life ahead
Downsizing can offer a fresh start in later life – and the benefits may astound you.
Moving from a large family home to something easier to manage raises a lot of questions and triggers some powerful emotions.
Surrey Advertiser 28 May 2021
I didn't want the hassle of selling and buying
‘Families who inherit retirement properties have been left facing financial disaster as homes have proved hard to sell and hefty maintenance fees and ground rents have stacked up.’
Get Surrey 24 May 2021
Over 50 apartments in Banstead approved
Over 50 assisted living apartments in Banstead approved unanimously after developer actually thinks about parking.
Health Investor 21 May 2021
Banstead Place, Surrey
Retirement living company Birchgrove has secured planning for the development of 54 high- quality assisted living apartments in Banstead Place, Surrey.
Surrey Advertiser 14 May 2021
All the intangible things really add up
Birchgrove, is a specialist developer of high-quality retirement properties in Kent and Surrey. Marion moved to Birchgrove’s Queensgate Apartments, Sidcup, just before the first lockdown and tells us about her experience.
Design Insider 01 May 2021
Furniture that is 5 star
Senior living and healthcare schemes can be just as beautiful as 5* venues! Protocol worked on projects for Birchgrove Assisted Living who are developing a portfolio of high-quality assisted living apartments.
Surrey Comet 01 April 2021
We came for two weeks...
Most of us love the comfort of our own home. Even when in our hearts, we know our current situation is not the best for us, it feels safer than the unknown that lies beyond.
22 March 2021
Homely community
Downsizing in retirement can prove particularly daunting for retirees, who sometimes fear having to trade their former home for an unfamiliar, impersonal environment.
The South East Independent 18 March 2021
Thank you for the music
Research proves what most of us have known all along, that music – and singing especially – is good for you.
Surrey Life 02 March 2021
Surrey Leading Ladies
Birchgrove Managing Director, Honor Barratt, shares her thoughts with the team at Surrey Life magazine.
Round and About magazine 01 March 2021
Community life
Research carried out by the King’s Fund and the University of York looked at the value of retirement communities on the wellbeing of the people who live in them, and on the health and social care system in the UK.
News Shopper 17 February 2021
Retirement communities
This is probably a question that crosses many minds when you see an advert about the benefits of a supported living community. It’s most certainly a question that causes long hard reflection by those facing the reality that with age comes the need to review where you may want to live.
Surrey Advertiser 12 November 2020
Supporting mum and dad
This year has been challenging and everyone is understandably anxious about the risk of infection from COVID-19. Life as we knew it has changed dramatically, but the pressure of supporting an older relative during lockdown was so overwhelming that Susan felt she needed to act quickly to put in place the right level of support for her parents.
Property Week 16 September 2020
Birchgrove acquires Surrey site
Retirement living developer Birchgrove has acquired a brownfield site in Godalming, Surrey for a 60-unit scheme.
The firm has submitted a pre-application to Waverley council to build on the 1.02-acre site, a former Mole Valley store.
Care Home Professional 02 October 2019
Lower Mill Apartments, Ewell
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has acquired a development site for housing with care operator, Birchgrove.
Birchgrove and partner Levanter Developments recently obtained planned permission for 53 extra care apartments at the Lower Mill site in Ewell, Surrey.
Healthcare Business 17 September 2019
Works starts on third community
Retirement living specialist Birchgrove starts work on their third retirement community in three years in Ewell village, south west London. The company is re-developing a 1.3-acre site to provide 53 high quality independent and assisted living apartments for rent. The development will be known as Lower Mill Apartments.
The Telegraph 17 June 2019
Baby boomers are swerving stamp duty
While millennials continue to dream of becoming first-time buyers, record numbers of retirees are choosing to swap home ownership for renting. This is to beat high levels of stamp duty, free up cash to help family members onto the property ladder, and turn their home into a source of income.
Mail on Sunday 19 May 2019
Retirement housing is taking off
A village with 115,000 peopl Retirement housing is taking off in Britain, but North America has developments that dwarf the UK's - with one estate boasting 32 square miles, 60,000 homes and more than 40 golf courses.
Healthcare Business 17 May 2019
Queensgate Apartments welcomes residents
New build-to-rent development for the over-65s. Opened by Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government James Brokenshire.
Speaking at the event James Brokenshire highlighted the increasing need for age-appropriate housing for the over 60s and praised Birchgrove’s efforts in building a ‘community with a heart’
Caring Times 01 May 2019
Hooking-in at Hook Heath
Birchgrove, a specialist developer of luxury rental retirement properties, has begun work at its second development in Woking. The scheme includes the construction of 51 apartments for the over 65s on a one-acre site purchased last year.
News Shopper 01 May 2019
Independent living
Many people in later life can feel increasingly burdened by everyday tasks or by a lack of accessible support, affecting both their wellbeing and their quality of life. At Birchgrove, residents are offered onsite care and support on all aspects of day-to-day life – whilst retaining all their independence in the comfort of their own home.
Care Markets, LaingBussion 01 May 2019
Birchgrove launches second site
Specialist developer of rental retirement properties, Birchgrove, has launched its second development in Woking, Surrey.
The retirement village includes 51 one- and two-bedroom apartments for the over 65s on a one-acre site.
This is Money 12 April 2019
Retirees happy to rent
A new generation rent: High-end villages are attracting retirees happy to be tenants rather than owners
- 55% of over-55s said they would consider renting a home in a recent survey
- Even some of the country's ritziest retirement schemes are offering rentals
Healthcare Business 12 April 2019
Rental-only scheme in Sidcup
A new rental-only retirement scheme launches to meet the growing demand for rental properties for the over 65s, which is predicted to double over the next 15 years. The luxury development in Sidcup, in the London Borough of Bexley, is being developed by Birchgrove.
Eagle Radio 11 April 2019
Retirement homes in Woking
Over 50 luxury retirement homes are set to be built at an old Woking building site. The new appartments will be located on Holly Bank Road - which previously housed a 38-bed care home. The building had been vacant since 2013 and was eventually demolished in 2016.
News Shopper 10 April 2019
Downsizing at Birchgrove
25 percent of retirees want to downsize, but the vast majority are still put off by moving costs and the complicated logistics of moving. Birchgrove has made the process easier by teaming up with the Senior Move Partnership (TSMP) to offer a 'Moveasy Service.'
Healthcare Business 01 April 2019
Second retirement community in Woking
Birchgrove, a specialist developer of luxury rental retirement properties, held a ground-breaking ceremony recently to celebrate the launch of its second development in Woking. The scheme includes the construction of 51 new modern apartments for the over 65s on a one-acre site purchased last year.
RetireMove 16 March 2019
Birchgrove takes stress out of moving
To reduce the stress of moving, retirement property specialist Birchgrove has teamed up with The Senior Move Partnership to offer residents a Moveasy Package.
News Shopper 27 February 2019
You’re Never Too Old for London!
Whilst London continues to attract the ageing visitor, many of them actually prefer living on the outskirts. Figures released by Strutt & Parker, in association with Octopus Healthcare, suggest 17% of retirees favour a property in the suburbs as it provides a good quality of life and keeps all the big city excitement on one’s doorstep.
The Telegraph 08 February 2019
Downsizing? Try a fresh approach.
Stamp duty penalises older people for moving - so downsize using these other options. According to Savills, some 300,000 homeowners lack the equity to be able to downsize in the current market.
The Mail on Sunday 27 January 2019
Welcome to rent-irement!
Welcome to rent-irement! More rental properties look set to become available to retirees this year than ever before writes JANE SLADE, founder of the retirement property website Retiremove
Sunday Express 22 July 2018
The generation rent
Renting a new-build apartment with a luxury hotel feel is not just for millennials – baby boomers are getting in on the act too. But while younger people head for the bright lights of London, Liverpool and Manchester, the over-55s are settling by the coast and small towns.
Property Week 19 July 2018
Woking Aquired
The company, which is the first in the sector to focus solely on the rental market, bought its second site, in Ewell near Epsom, last month and added its third, in Woking, last week. Its first, in Sidcup, south London, is under construction.
Property Week 12 July 2018
Birchgrove acquires Woking site
Birchgrove, back by Bridges Fund Management, has acquired a retirement development site in Woking with detailed planning permission for an assisted living scheme
The Telegraph 17 March 2018
The country? No
Auriens is a very pricey outlier in the market, but kicking against this trend of homes for sale is a scheme in Bexley offering assisted-living apartments for private rent.
Housing Lin 17 October 2017
A brave new world
I have a friend called Bea. She’s 83, lives on her own in a two-bed terrace and twice a night crawls down the stairs on her hands and knees to go to the only loo in the house. Right now, our industry says to Bea either you buy a retirement apartment or you move in to a care home.