Retire in style

From the buzz of the city to bespoke beekeeping, wealthy retirees can enjoy life in properties that offer five-star facilities reminiscent of private members' clubs.

It's hard to say whether it's the indoor pool and spa that steals the show, or the reading room with its chandeliers, chess sets and Steinway piano. The private cinema, alongside a low-lit basement bar, is quite something too, with individual Champagne buckets in front of each super-sized velvet wingback chair.

Auriens Chelsea, which opened on Dovehouse Street, just steps away from the Kings Road, has become the blueprint for retirement multi-millionaire-style. This is "ageing in place" to use the assisted living sector's buzz phrase, for the seriously wealthy to whom care means having your martini mixed just how you like it. 

In this sector, everyone talks about luxury, but this is without compare. These are age-restricted apartments with the facilities of a private member's club

These are people who can afford £13,500 - £45,000 a month to rent an apartment ranging from 900 to 2,000 sq ft. For those who prefer to buy, the 56 residences now include one-bed flats from £2.75 million and two-bed flats from £3.95 million, many of them overlooking a peaceful courtyard garden designed by Chelsea gold-winning designer Andy Sturgeon.

Auriens, owned by Oaktree Capital Management, is part of a transforming landscape of "serious institutional backers" says Peter Youngs, a partner in Knight Frank's Senior Housing team.

"In this sector, everyone talks about luxury, but this is without compare. These are age-restricted apartments with the facilities of a private member's club," says Henry Lumby, Auriens' sales and marketing director. 

Auriens Chelsea has set a new standard for retiring in style in London.