Hadrian Healthcare has handed over the keys to a Yorkshire property which it sold to a national operator in a multimillion-pound deal before it had even been built.
The Gateshead care home developer announced plans last year for two North Yorkshire sites, representing an investment of £27m, working with its long-standing construction partner Walter Thompson to create properties with stand-out features including restaurants and cafes, hair and beauty salons, cinemas, in-house chefs, plush lounges, gardens and chauffeurs.
The company, which has a reputation within the care industry for creating homes that look like five-star hotels, set out to build the new properties – one in Skipton and one in Leeds – after selling five homes in a record-breaking £100m-plus deal.
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Anchor Hanover bought the two homes in a £50m deal last year, after approaching Hadrian Healthcare with an offer before a single brick had been laid. Now Anchor Hanover has taken the keys to the Skipton property, called The Mill House, a 94-bed home which includes eight residential care apartments in the adjoining historic Mill Lodge.
The £15m care home - which won won the development of the year category at the Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards 2023 - includes 12 independent living suites where residents have their own private front doors, as well as its own dining and bar area, gardens and first and second floor terraces with views across the town.
Anchor chief executive Sarah Jones said: “The Mill House is a great addition to our care homes and a very visual example of how, in this case through our continuing relationship with Hadrian Healthcare, we create homes where people love living in later life. Residents will instantly notice the considerable attention to detail which has gone into creating the high-quality décor and furnishings.
“Important too is the commitment to creating a sustainable and energy-efficient home. It’s built to an Energy Performance Certificate A rating standard, with a focus on sustainable heating systems and generating renewable energy through solar panels.
“At a time when there is a shortage of quality care homes being built across the country to replace ageing stock, I’m really pleased that Anchor is looking ahead to ensure we are meeting the changing needs of residents. Our business plan states we will invest to create more and better homes – and The Mill House is a clear example of that commitment.”
Anchor Hanover exchanged contracts last September to acquire the home, together with a second home in Roundhay, Leeds, which is due to open in Summer 2024.
Ian Watson, chairman of Hadrian Healthcare, said: “Hadrian Healthcare continues to raise the standards of care and accommodation for older people and we are delighted to have completed and handed over this amazing new Home, The Mill House Skipton, to Anchor. Having worked closely with Anchor in the past, we know they share our commitment and focus to be the best.”
