Tower and Town, October 2017 (view the full edition)Renaissance In The London RoadThe Editor investigates new build on the London Road.
The ground of the old builders' yard just west of Combe End Court is entering a new period of its history. Renaissance Retirement is making a unique contribution to those buildings that cater to the older community in our town. The firm dates back to 1997 when they were hand-picked by HRH Prince Charles to design and build the very first retirement apartments at his flagship development in Poundbury, Dorchester. Since then they have been evolving steadily, developing apartments with generous space, high quality internal and external specifications, mezzanine galleries and well landscaped gardens as they try to match the ever-evolving needs and tastes of their customers. Bigger bedrooms, wider hallways, more storage space, en suite bathrooms, high-spec kitchens, generous, gated car parking space: the modern oldie is hard to satisfy! Not content with the necessities of accommodation, each Renaissance development aims to create a community within itself. A common drawing room offers the opportunity for residents to welcome family and friends. The on-site concierge organises events such as coffee mornings, short mat bowls, wine tasting and even fish-and-chip Fridays! There is also a guest suite where family and friends coming long distances to visit can stay overnight for a nominal fee, without having to kip down on the floor or the couch, or spend a fortune on a hotel. In addition, many apartments are two-bedroomed. Marlborough has quite a number of retirement developments and they vary in all sorts of ways. As mobility perhaps declines with age, proximity to the centre of town or to the Marlborough Medical Practice may become important, while more energetic folk may appreciate sites nearer the downs or Savernake Forest, offering more incentive to keep taking exercise. Renaissance has chosen a median location, with easy egress out of town via the A4, Hungerford and the motorway whilst still being on the flat for the walk into town. Along George Lane, on the other hand, you will soon be able to live courtesy of McCarthy and Stone and have Treacle Bolly and Granham Hill right on your doorstep. You pays your money and you takes your choice!Hugh de Saram |