A former golf course set for a $200 million over-55s development is one step closer to its first major construction phase.
After the completion of civil works in September, Hunter-based property developer Principle Living has appointed Patterson Building Group to construct the 301-home land lease project, The Hermitage, in Cessnock.
In-ground services are scheduled to begin in October, with concrete slabs and framing for the initial 44 homes under way later this year.
The first residents are expected to move in by mid-2027.
The 91-acre estate on the former Stonebridge Golf Course, which closed in 2019, includes reinstating the golf course, a private clubhouse, swimming pool, gym, lawn bowls, pickleball courts, pocket parks and caravan parking.
Principle Living development director Chris Old said the recent completion of civil works and pending start of home construction marked an important step.
"The Hermitage has been carefully planned to make the most of this substantial site and create something genuinely new for over 55s living in or moving to the Hunter Valley," Mr Old said.
"With the major civil infrastructure now in place, we are ready to move into home construction and begin seeing the community take shape."
The Hermitage is Principle Living's first land lease project, where residents own their home but lease the land it sits on.
Pricing for the estate's first stage of two- and three-bedroom homes range from $687,500 to $794,000.
The Hermitage will comprise three precincts: Redleaf, Stonehurst and Vigneron.
Mr Old said each precinct included green spaces and shared facilities designed to encourage active and connected living.
"We've been very deliberate about planning at The Hermitage," he said.
"We wanted to create a community where residents still feel like they're living in a substantial home, with space around them and places to walk, meet and enjoy the lifestyle benefits this region offers."
Principle Living recently completed the Blueheath at the Bower retirement village in Medowie.
The company is a partnership between the Stevens Group, a privately owned NSW property development company which has delivered residential and commercial projects across the state, and the Mann family, founders of myHomecare.
NEWCASTLE HERALD
22 SEPTEMBER 2026
A former golf course set for a $200 million over-55s development is one step closer to its first major construction phase.
After the completion of civil works in September, Hunter-based property developer Principle Living has appointed Patterson Building Group to construct the 301-home land lease project, The Hermitage, in Cessnock.
In-ground services are scheduled to begin in October, with concrete slabs and framing for the initial 44 homes under way later this year.
The first residents are expected to move in by mid-2027.
The 91-acre estate on the former Stonebridge Golf Course, which closed in 2019, includes reinstating the golf course, a private clubhouse, swimming pool, gym, lawn bowls, pickleball courts, pocket parks and caravan parking.
Principle Living development director Chris Old said the recent completion of civil works and pending start of home construction marked an important step.
"The Hermitage has been carefully planned to make the most of this substantial site and create something genuinely new for over 55s living in or moving to the Hunter Valley," Mr Old said.
"With the major civil infrastructure now in place, we are ready to move into home construction and begin seeing the community take shape."
The Hermitage is Principle Living's first land lease project, where residents own their home but lease the land it sits on.
Pricing for the estate's first stage of two- and three-bedroom homes range from $687,500 to $794,000.
The Hermitage will comprise three precincts: Redleaf, Stonehurst and Vigneron.
Mr Old said each precinct included green spaces and shared facilities designed to encourage active and connected living.
"We've been very deliberate about planning at The Hermitage," he said.
"We wanted to create a community where residents still feel like they're living in a substantial home, with space around them and places to walk, meet and enjoy the lifestyle benefits this region offers."
Principle Living recently completed the Blueheath at the Bower retirement village in Medowie.
The company is a partnership between the Stevens Group, a privately owned NSW property development company which has delivered residential and commercial projects across the state, and the Mann family, founders of myHomecare.
NEWCASTLE HERALD
22 SEPTEMBER 2026
A former golf course set for a $200 million over-55s development is one step closer to its first major construction phase.
After the completion of civil works in September, Hunter-based property developer Principle Living has appointed Patterson Building Group to construct the 301-home land lease project, The Hermitage, in Cessnock.
In-ground services are scheduled to begin in October, with concrete slabs and framing for the initial 44 homes under way later this year.
The first residents are expected to move in by mid-2027.
The 91-acre estate on the former Stonebridge Golf Course, which closed in 2019, includes reinstating the golf course, a private clubhouse, swimming pool, gym, lawn bowls, pickleball courts, pocket parks and caravan parking.
Principle Living development director Chris Old said the recent completion of civil works and pending start of home construction marked an important step.
"The Hermitage has been carefully planned to make the most of this substantial site and create something genuinely new for over 55s living in or moving to the Hunter Valley," Mr Old said.
"With the major civil infrastructure now in place, we are ready to move into home construction and begin seeing the community take shape."
The Hermitage is Principle Living's first land lease project, where residents own their home but lease the land it sits on.
Pricing for the estate's first stage of two- and three-bedroom homes range from $687,500 to $794,000.
The Hermitage will comprise three precincts: Redleaf, Stonehurst and Vigneron.
Mr Old said each precinct included green spaces and shared facilities designed to encourage active and connected living.
"We've been very deliberate about planning at The Hermitage," he said.
"We wanted to create a community where residents still feel like they're living in a substantial home, with space around them and places to walk, meet and enjoy the lifestyle benefits this region offers."
Principle Living recently completed the Blueheath at the Bower retirement village in Medowie.
The company is a partnership between the Stevens Group, a privately owned NSW property development company which has delivered residential and commercial projects across the state, and the Mann family, founders of myHomecare.
NEWCASTLE HERALD
22 SEPTEMBER 2026
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