An abode for affluent seniors at Shivalik (Lifestyle Feature)

You are touching 60 and had a stellar career. You earned enough to take care of the rest of your life, luxuriously. You've also travelled far and wide. Now, you want to retire for life in a tranquil place, yet with a somewhat engaging life.

So where do you go?

One such place is nestled in a picturesque 14-acre plot surrounded by sal forests, near Tons river in the Shivalik range. A Max India Group company is planning to create a residential colony for people to enjoy their sunset years.

Antara Senior Living is an emerging concept in India for those aged 55 and above being built at Purukul, Dehradun. A Rs.560-crore project, it will have meditation corners, book reading nooks, organic vegetable garden, walking paths and a clubhouse.

"Antara aspires to be the pioneer in senior living concept in India," said Tara Singh Vachani, chief executive, targeting clients from the 115 million people who fall into the age bracket of 60-plus out of India's population of 1.25 billion people.

"This space doesn't exist in India. We're creating the ecosystem. An old person can stay until death," said Vachani, adding Antara will even take care of the final rites of the occupants who do not have relatives to perform them.

The project will house 219 apartments with seven apartment-types ranging from 1,400 square foot to 6,000 square feet. It will have a living room, a fully equipped kitchen and an extra room for staff. New York-based Perkins Eastman and Spain's Esteva I Esteva have been roped in for advice.

Price of the apartments range from Rs.1.4 crore to Rs.6 crore and will be serviced by 200 trained staff. The purchase gives ownership rights for 60 years and automatically renews thereafter.

"Owners are entitled to all the benefits of a freehold property. It can be inherited by the legal heirs -- they can also sub-lease. This is a very innovative plan," said Kenneth Sannoo, the director for community development at Antara.

Other than the cost of ownership, occupants are required to pay a monthly fee for certain set of services -- healthcare, nutritionist, fitness classes, security, round-the-clock emergency service and a concierge, among others.

It is located near a Max hospital in Dehradun, part of the same group which has interests in insurance, healthcare, health insurance, clinical research, speciality films and a philantrophic arm.

(Sharon Thambala's visit was organised by Antara. He can be reached at thambalasharon@gmail.com)