AX Holdings launches Malta’s first retirement village

AX Holdings today launched its latest €43 million venture, the Hilltop Gardens in Naxxar, incorporating a cluster of 150 highly finished apartments and a licenced Residential Care Home. These are set to make up Malta’s first unique retirement village offering independent and assisted daily living.

Ranging from studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and penthouses, all luxury apartments enjoy a large terrace and most come with panoramic views, fully-equipped fitted kitchens, built-in appliances designed to maximise storage and workspace and spacious bedroom suites featuring ensuite luxurious bathrooms.

Construction works on site started last May and most of the structural work of the residential units is now almost complete. Two show apartments have been finished to specifications and are now available for viewing by prospective buyers. The project is set to be completed by last quarter of 2015.

“Located on the outskirts of Naxxar, Hilltop Gardens will be a village within a village, offering not only a high class form of independent living but also assisted living and residential care within a village atmosphere and through the eventual creation of a new community,” explained Angelo Xuereb, Chairman of AX Holdings during a site visit.

Addressing all guests present during the visit, Mr Xuereb explained how this project is set to offer residents the highest level of multi-disciplinary professional care, the highest quality of services and will be guaranteeing dignity through high quality independent living.

Angelo Xuereb stated, “This project was born from a vision to offer an active aging experience and a truly unique destination for those who want to retire without giving up on their independence. 

"At the same time, those who choose to invest in these residences will do so in the knowledge that the new demands that aging eventually brings with it, will be met by an outstanding team of trained and qualified healthcare professionals offering peace of mind both to the residents and to their immediate families.”

“The success of this project will in fact be built on three main pillars namely on the quality of care, the quality of life of those forming this community and the uniqueness of this offering. The project brings our proven track record and experience in the hospitality and catering industry to a new sector which is increasingly presenting more sophisticated demands,” added Mr Xuereb.

Hilltop Gardens retirement village will be a complex spread over 17,000 square metres, having over fifty percent (50%) in landscaping or open spaces. Hilltop Gardens will be catering for independent and assisted living individuals over 60 years of age. It will offer a vast choice of multidisciplinary, support and hotel services to create a unique environment planned and designed exclusively for today’s contemporary retirement living.

Referring to the various services and amenities, Jacqueline Camilleri, Chief Executive Officer of Hilltop Gardens said, “besides a multipurpose hall, a wellness centre and spa and a large outdoor swimming pool, Hilltop Gardens will also include relaxation and activity areas, a hair salon, a specially designed independent chapel, a bar and restaurant, a library, piano bar and various lounges, a mini-market, children’s outdoor and indoor areas, a crafts centre, boċċi pitch, garden allotments, an indoor physio/hydrotherapy pool, a clinical centre, the provision of hourly bus shuttle service to Naxxar centre, a large underground car park and 24-hour security service.”

“Through domiciliary, maintenance and concierge teams, Hilltop Gardens allows residents to choose their own lifestyle in a flexible, safe, independent and most accessible environment. For a more personalised service the Group will be investing in a state-of-the-art in-house kitchen which will be offering a variety of menus. The AX Group excels in this and is renowned for quality catering, thus the same level of service will without any shadow of doubt be delivered at Hilltop Gardens,” added Camilleri.

“Hilltop Gardens will also host a licensed residential care home including a dedicated dementia friendly ward which has been expertly designed to offer a home-like environment and a sense of tranquillity. Hilltop Gardens Residential Care Home will employ its own team of passionate clinical staff, qualified and trained to the highest professional levels. The team will consist of a 24-hour GP service, highly trained nurses and accredited care workers.”

“Hilltop Gardens’ team has also thought of providing support to patients and families through the setting up of a Respite Care Service Team.  Respite programs at Hilltop Gardens will provide planned short-term and time limited breaks for families and care givers in order to support and maintain the primary care giving relationship. Respite at Hilltop Gardens will also provide a positive, stimulating and worthwhile experience for the person receiving care,” concluded Jacqueline Camilleri.

Concurrently with the Hilltop Gardens project, AX Holdings is also undertaking a €54 million investment across a number of its subsidiaries, which investment will materialize over the next 16 months.  The AX Group is presently active in a complete refurbishment of The Suncrest Hotel as well as in an upgrading program of the The Victoria Hotel.  Moreover the AX Group has recently consolidated its position in the hospitality sector through the acquisition of Luzzu Complex in Qawra.

“Our €3.3 million a month investment is probably the current largest private investment on the island. But whilst these material investments will continue to consolidate the Group’s position in the hospitality sector, the move to extend the Group’s services to the elderly sector through the Hilltop Gardens project confirms the forward-looking vision and strategy that has always singled out the AX Group,” concluded Mr Xuereb.