A bold return
Always underpinned by excellence, the Sandersons are redefining luxury retirement living with a project set to impress.
Always underpinned by excellence, the Sandersons are redefining
luxury retirement living with a project set to impress.
words NICKY ADAMS | photo ALAN GIBSON
Fraser and Donna Sanderson.
With a life’s work spanning 38 years developing in the luxury retirement and care home facility sector, Fraser Sanderson made front page news in 2019 when he sold off three of his retirement villages, at the time quoted as saying he was going to ‘give retirement a go’. Clearly ticky-touring about in his campervan didn’t cut the mustard because roll on a few years and Fraser has returned, and returned with style. The project that has brought him back to the fray is the most exciting and prestigious one of his career, The Pitau in Mount Maunganui.
As the face of the Sanderson Group – family owned and operated nationwide with a portfolio of diverse developments under its umbrella – Fraser is well known to be an astute businessman, but one who holds the values of honesty, loyalty and family at the heart of it all. His children all have exciting ventures underway themselves in the retirement and development sectors and are excited by this latest turn of events; wife Donna is equally supportive, understanding that The Pitau is very much Fraser’s passion project. A concept too compelling to resist, the luxury and magnitude make it groundbreaking in New Zealand, and even on an international scale it would be considered trailblazing.
Fraser is no mere figurehead. His involvement has always, and continues to be, more than just in name only; a driving force from the ground upwards, he notoriously dives into every single aspect of a development. From overseeing the selection of the Travetine cladding of The Pitau or obsessing over the correct placement of the cabling in the building’s basement, Fraser prides himself on being a part of every feasible decision. He is lauded for his meticulous attention to detail, as well as the speed with which he ensures everything is executed. A friend of mine once sat next to Mick Jagger at a cricket game, and said she could feel the energy fizzing from him for every second of the match. Fraser has the same kind of sizzle – always on the move, it’s hard to even get him to sit down for an interview.
When Fraser does sit down, he is reluctant to wax lyrical about his achievements, but it’s hard to deny his significant impact on, and shaping of, the luxury retirement sector. I wonder which aspect of his legacy he is most proud of, to which he replies: “For me, it’s having been instrumental in raising the bar for luxury retirement living, and creating spaces where people can enjoy the highest standards of comfort, service and lifestyle. It’s all been about giving people the freedom to truly live well.” I comment he already has such a peg in the ground, so it’s intriguing as to what exactly it was about the concept of The Pitau that tempted him out of his brief retirement. He tells me: “It was really the opportunity to push the boundaries of what a luxury retirement village can be. I knew it would be something extraordinary in both design and lifestyle.”
Was it, I wonder, an idea that had been bubbling away for years, or was it simply circumstantial as the location presented itself? “I’ve always believed that people who have worked hard their whole lives deserve something truly exceptional. When this prime location became available, it was the perfect opportunity to create something that sets a new benchmark for luxury and excellence. Now, people who never would have considered a traditional retirement village are considering The Pitau”.
While The Pitau is an ambitious and prestigious venture, it is not out of character for Fraser to be ‘thinking big’. His visionary approach was apparent from the start when he embarked upon his first retirement village in Ōmokoroa, bucking the trend of the time when it was believed that retirement living needed to be centrally located. Conversely, when he did go into the city, he initiated industry change by developing at height in the Avenues. Taking his ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to Queenstown, he spearheaded development on Ladies Mile where he established a country club and built a hospital. Fraser’s trademark is rolling out projects that present with challenges. Over the years his undertakings have been diverse – from retirement villages and residential subdivisions, to specialist medical facilities, and hospitality to retail – however, the common thread is the uncompromising commitment to quality that remains steadfast. Fraser firmly believes that quality pays dividends in the long-term, and for him there is no budging on delivering the highest calibre product.
There seems to be a genuine passion for helping people in the retirement space. A question Fraser says he asks himself about every undertaking is, “Is this somewhere we want to spend our twilight years, or, is this a place we want our children to spend their formative years?” It’s clear an impetus for Fraser is creating an environment where people who have worked hard their whole lives can relax and enjoy the next phase.
With retirement villages now offering resort-like facilities, I imagine the concept is very different from how it was 40 years ago. Has there been a shift, I wonder, on when people feel ready to move to the ‘golden years’ of relaxation? “Absolutely. It’s no longer about slowing down – it’s about upgrading your lifestyle. People are moving in earlier, not because they have to, but because they want to enjoy everything a luxury community has to offer while they’re active and independent. It’s a shift from necessity to choice.”
Despite the allure of the wonderful quality of surroundings, luxurious facilities and stunning landscaping that all make up the core of any project under the Sanderson Group, Fraser still must come across many people who just aren’t sure if this next step is the right one for them. What, I wonder, would he say to people who are teetering on the edge of the unknown next stage? “I’d say, don’t wait until you have to move - move while you can truly enjoy it. This isn’t about giving anything up; it’s about gaining more – more freedom, more connection and more time to focus on what really matters. The sooner you step into this next phase, the more rewarding it becomes.” And with that, it’s beginning to feel as though there’s no such thing as too soon.
Introducing
The Pitau
Mount Maunganui’s five-star lifestyle retirement
offering promises uncompromising luxury.
words NICKY ADAMS | photos SUPPLIED
A welcoming and cosy guest lobby space.
When Fraser backtracked on his well-deserved retirement plan, it was because he couldn’t pass on the opportunity to create something totally unique. The Pitau was born of a desire to take luxury to new heights – quite literally.
A unique multi-level triple tower design, the outlook across the mesmerising beauty of the twinkling Pacific Ocean naturally is spectacular. But plonking an architectural wonder in a stunning location and simply signing off is not Fraser’s style. For him the devil is in the detail; the layout of the building has been designed to maximise both sunlight and views, the high room stud, thoughtful indoor/outdoor flow and optimised privacy all tie together seamlessly. The architectural mastery is apparent; curved edges and the neutral palette leans to an elevated aesthetic combining form and function. Investing in exceptional landscaping is part of the charm of Sanderson Group developments, so it’s no surprise to see the balcony edges are green planted – softening the form of the building and factoring in the need for foliage.
While the architecture is exceptional, both the exterior (which incidentally is clad in beautiful Travertine tiles imported from Turkey) and interiors are a work of art. It’s obvious that no expense has been spared to create homes that Fraser and Donna would want to – and be proud to - live in themselves; so it stands to reason that they have already earmarked an apartment for their own ‘golden years’. The apartments themselves vary in size and configuration, and the inclusion of a dedicated care facility with Memory Care and hospital-level care suites ensure that future additional medical needs can be met. It's hard not to get excited when you look through the spec – which in many ways feels more as though you’re flicking through the details of the most exclusive five-star-plus resort. Tasteful opulence at every turn you might say.
Then there are the lifestyle opportunities. If you’ve ever been through a Sanderson Group retirement village, you’ll be aware that the facilities are the lynchpin of luxury living, and The Pitau takes this premise to a whole new level. The facilities alone will make most people – myself included – stop in their tracks. There is, frankly, what feels like acres of premium amenity space; all created with the understanding that, firstly, the residents will be in their prime ‘post work’ years, and secondly, life within the building as a whole should feel like a continuation of the luxury of their apartment living. A massive swimming pool, expansive high-tech gym, yoga studio, sauna and spa will all be part of the active offerings.
Luxurious penthouse bedroom in the Rockpools interior scheme.
If you want time out, then there is a boutique cinema and library; if you feel like pampering, then head to the salon. If a billiards room sounds appealing, then take a breath and visit the Wine and Whisky Bar; oh and of course there are multiple café and restaurant areas.
This is not a traditional retirement plan, instead it is a five-star lifestyle offering – and it is here that The Pitau is elevated into a league of its own. Managing to be swanky without crossing the line to ostentatious, there is a huge main lobby area that opens into an internal courtyard, complete with water feature and reflection pond for just the right amount of Zen. A resident concierge service is available, because this really is a time of life when you deserve to delegate your life admin, and even better, there’s a chauffeur service on hand to whizz guests to the Golf Course, the airport or just to run errands. Those that like a little more independence can dip into the complimentary fleet of e-vehicles or borrow an e-bike if they have had one too many at the Whisky Bar.
A striking architectural view from Pitau Road.
Operating at a unique level unseen in New Zealand, The Pitau brings an international flavour. Many aspects were the result of endless research into what was missing from the premium retirement sector, not just in New Zealand, but globally. It’s fair to say that this concept will be market leading on completion. There really couldn’t be a more perfect location than the Mount. As Kiwis, we flock here, and it’s well known internationally as an incredible coastal location.
Naturally this level of living comes at a price, and with this, intended residents are putting a huge amount of trust into the Sanderson Group. A proven track record goes a long way, and additional reassurance is provided by the way the Group operates. Unusually for this type of development, the Sanderson Group controls all the main aspects of the build, with an internal team in place for everything from the architects to the civil earthworks and internal joinery. By acting as the main contractor, Fraser and his team are afforded greater control over quality and delivery.
This really does back up the realisation that nothing is accidental with Fraser. The Sanderson Group is based around the premise of delivering on the promise of uncompromising luxury, quality and good living.
Every single aspect of any development undertaken has been considered in micro detail, so the perception of unparalleled comfort is not just an illusion, the evidence is there to back it up. As Fraser said, when it comes to this type of lifestyle change “People are moving in, not because they have to, but because they want to.”
Completion dates:
Tower 1 – December 2026
Tower 2 – December 2028
Tower 3 (Care) – December 2029
To view, visit:
227 Maunganui Road
Mount Maunganui
Bay of Plenty
That’s lifestyle
A forward-thinking development on the cusp of Mt Maunganui and Papamoa brings together two unique destinations to redefine not just the way retirement villages look, but the whole concept of retirement itself.
A forward-thinking development on the cusp of Mt Maunganui and Papamoa brings together two unique destinations to redefine not just the way retirement villages look, but the whole concept of retirement itself.
WORDS Andy Taylor PHOTOS Jahl Marshal
Pacific Coast Village and Pacific Lakes Village are in prime locations close to the spectacular Bay of Plenty coastline. The setting is consistently voted one of New Zealand’s top beachside holiday spots, but these residential properties don’t just rest on the laurels of location, location, location. Instead, they’re creating an entirely new retirement experience as part of the Generus Living Group, who’ve built an unrivalled reputation since the 1980s for creating some of New Zealand’s most respected lifestyle villages.
Already an admired destination, Pacific Coast Village is a place people are proud to call home. As manager Carl Braddock says, Pacific Coast’s model isn’t based on the outdated concept of a ‘retirement home’ but is firmly rooted in hospitality. “Our team and our thinking come from a hospitality background, so we aim to offer something with a very different feel – something more like a resort, with lounges and eateries you’d be happy to visit and invite friends to visit,” he says.
It’s a concept that has very much found favour with locals. Many service clubs have gatherings here, and Pacific Coast’s The Grill Brasserie was voted 2019’s Restaurant of the Year by the Tauranga Beefsteak & Burgundy club; it’s a favourite among families in the area.
Given the Village’s setting and facilities, it’s easy to see why. The centerpiece Beach House Community Centre houses the brasserie, an eatery and a lounge; a club lounge bar; study, craft and activity rooms; a hair salon and spa treatment room; and a movie theatre. Taking design cues from the classic Kiwi beachhouse, the Summer House is home to a lounge and library area complete with fireplace and television, pool table, bar, kitchenette and dining space. Immaculate grounds, a pool, spa and gardens complete the picture, all backed up by the kind of elevated care that’s nice to know is there but doesn’t get in the way of enjoying life.
“I really think we’re doing something ahead of the curve here,” says Carl. “We run everything on a style and service level of 4 to 4.5 stars, while also offering advanced care. In March, we’ll add to this when construction of our Hikurangi independent apartments begins – these will offer a bit extra for residents who need some more help around the home and will even feature concierge-delivered vehicles for independence. This is a really active place – and we’re here to make sure residents get the most out of what this great location and community has to offer.”
This leading of the curve is echoed at Pacific Coast Village, which has state-of-the-art facilities and a true focus on wellbeing and community spirit. “We really set out to ask the question: ‘What is retirement living?’ and we’ve made a conscious decision to meet the needs of residents rather than have them adapt,” says manager Mark Vincent. “This worked very well – so much so that we’ve had visitors here ask, ‘Where’s the retirement home?’ when they’re standing in the middle of it!”
It’s an easy mistake to make. Pacific Lakes Village is fantastic, with buildings and facilities that merge with the coastal setting and park-like grounds, and come together to offer so much more than just somewhere to live. With the next stage of construction already underway, there is even more to come.
“Assisted living is the point of the village, but it wasn’t the starting point,” says Mark. “The model is to provide an active living lifestyle; it’s not just about ‘retirement’, because the generation that’s coming into that part of their lives isn’t stepping back from life, they’re starting again, and we’re here to make sure they make the most of that.”
The embodiment of this approach ranges from not just the more expected elements – such as great accommodation, man-made lakes and on-site restaurants and cafés – but to facilities not usually seen in retirement villages of old. “There’ll be a market garden, commercial glasshouse and climate-controlled growing house, and a variety of fruit trees scattered throughout, enabling residents to grow their own produce and connect with their surroundings,” says Mark. “In addition, the Lake House – which will be the focal point for the village and completed in 2021 – will have sweeping decks, a barbecue area, a bowling green and the like, and it’ll be operating off the grid, with solar power and a rainwater recycling system.”
Like Pacific Coast Village, Pacific Lakes Village is an active part of the local community. “This is a great location, close to the beach and shops but not isolated, so residents are still able to enjoy the city and the coast, and keep in touch with friends and family,” says Mark. “It’s a great lifestyle, a home away from home but with extra care there when you need it.