Why rightsizers and downsizers are buying new villas on Isle of Capri

Gold Coast downsizers are seeking quality alternatives to traditional housing and apartment options with leading agents claiming the lifestyle demographic is prioritising dwellings with larger floor plans, privacy, and increased security in prime locations. 

The multi-award-winning villas at Isle of Capri’s newest community, Capri, currently under construction, are hitting the mark with empty nesters, with the majority of sales to date made to downsizers from the surrounding suburbs.

Construction is on schedule for a late 2025 completion, with the first pour of internal roads complete and the first slabs being poured this week.

Local downsizers Chris and Julie Kelaart were quick to secure a three-bedroom villa at Capri after the Gold Coast couple decided they wanted to elevate their lifestyle while minimising the upkeep and maintenance required by their family home.

“We have lived on the Gold Coast for almost 14 years and with all of our children married it was time to sell the 17-acre family property and downsize to a home that reflects the lifestyle we want for the next stage of our lives,” Mr Kelaart said.

“When we started looking for our next home, we were set on purchasing a new property and we were prepared to buy off the plan.

“With Capri under construction, we are just so excited because it’s all good and well to look at plans and designs but to see it coming out of the ground is amazing.”

Capri, developed by Gold Coast-based Monaco Property Group (MPG) and being built by Greyburn Building Contractors, is a landmark project representing the largest residential project in the suburb in more than three decades. Capri occupies a prime 1.2-hectare site set to house 48 architecturally designed luxury villas.

Coming from a large family home, Mrs Kelaart said she was drawn to Elenberg Fraser because she didn’t feel she was compromising on space and liveability yet she gained a new level of luxury with an architecturally-designed villa that felt like a separate dwelling. 

“We chose a villa at Capri because of the exceptional high-quality workmanship and the beautiful design,” says Mrs Kelaart. 

“The generous floorplans made us feel like we weren’t resizing our whole lives to fit into a downsizing option and we still have plenty of room to comfortably accommodate our family and friends when they visit with the extra bedrooms and bathrooms.

“The resident facilities are top notch too so the days of Chris sitting on the mower for hours on end are long gone and having someone else to look after the pool will be fantastic.”

Designed by global practice Plus Architecture and award-winning local firm BDA Architecture, the project offers two and three-level villas ranging in size from 241 sqm to 370 sqm with three and four-bedroom options available along with multi-purpose rooms and secure double garages.

NPA Director Andrew Erwin says a villa at Capri is the “ultimate rightsizer”, offering house-size dimensions in a blue-chip location within a secure, gated community.

“Downsizing is often considered a compromise as it implies you are sacrificing or giving up something but many people in this age bracket do not want to compromise on space and liveability in their new home, instead they want to upscale their lifestyle to suit the next stage of their lives,” Erwin says.

“Capri offers a villa lifestyle where you don’t have to compromise on space or privacy, yet you have the added benefits of extra security, access to resort-style amenities that you don’t have to maintain, and a prime location close to all the Gold Coast has to offer.

“With construction now full steam ahead and the first residents expected to be welcomed next year, Elenberg Fraser is the perfect option for buyers who want to embrace a lifestyle change within the foreseeable future.”

Capri offers an exclusive gated community surrounded by world-class resort-style, resident-only amenities including a pool with submerged lounge chairs, a sundeck, an outdoor dining terrace, a covered barbeque area, and a residents lounge complete with kitchen, bar, TV, lounge, and fireplace.

Capri is more than 60 per cent sold.