Luxury apartments with panoramic views of North Tyneside are now home to over 20 local people.
With sea views from its very own rooftop patio, all 21 chic apartments at Whinstone Lodge, Monkseaton, were all snapped up within days of being advertised.
The state-of-the-art retirement complex has been created as part of North Tyneside Council’s £300m North Tyneside Living project, which will see more than 920 modern, independent living homes created at 26 locations across the borough, by 2017.
Two of the new residents are sisters Laura Yately and Pat Devlin, who moved from an old traditional-style sheltered accommodation building to chic apartments next door to each other
Speaking about her new home, Laura said: “I am happy with everything – I call my apartment ‘the penthouse’! It’s absolutely brilliant; the council is really getting it right.”
Pat added: “All the apartments are so spacious and modern. You can’t compare it to where I lived before – Whinstone Lodge is paradise.”
Laura and Pat recently gave by North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn and Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing and Transport, a guided tour of their new building and its roof terrace.
Mayor Redfearn said: “It was a real pleasure meeting the residents of Whinstone Lodge and to be able to wish them well in their new homes in person.
“We are immensely proud of the North Tyneside Living project and it’s brilliant to hear how happy the new residents are, too.”
Nine of the 26 buildings are already finished and the council is underway with creating or refurbishing 17 more.
Cllr John Harrison added: “All apartments within the North Tyneside Living Scheme arebright, contemporary and inviting.
“We worked with residents to really consider every little detail when designing the retirement apartments – from room layouts to taps and window handles – to make life easier and make sure people can live independently for longer.”
Whinstone Lodge boasts state-of-the-art wet rooms and kitchens, and every home has either Juliette balconies or patio doors to access the shared garden.
While each apartment has its own personal lounge, there’s also a communal one and a sun lounge. There’s also a therapy room which is used by professionals, including hairdressers, and a guest apartment where family and friends can stay.
Another couple Mayor Redfearn and Cllr Harrison met were husband and wife Tom and Lynn Willis.
Lynn said: “We love it here – it’s just spacious, light and modern – it’s home.
The scheme to modernise North Tyneside’s sheltered housing accommodation is being delivered by Galliford Try.
For more information, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk or call 0345 2000 102.
