Why design-conscious over-50s are looking to Flagstone for their next step

Australians over 50 are increasingly looking for homes where they can trade constant maintenance for lifestyle and community.

Research by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute found that Australia’s modern over-50s are downsizing for a variety of reasons.

Most were focused on lifestyle upgrades, wanting to live in communities that support active and independent living.

They are also interested in properties that allow them to focus more on the things that are important to them, rather than spending hours each week maintaining their home.

One community that is attracting this target group and offering an attractive lifestyle, affordability and low maintenance living is Millbray’s new residential community for the over 50s, Ashcroft in Flagstone.

Why Flagstone attracts smart, connected buyers over 50

Flagstone is a Queensland Government designated Priority Development Area (PDA) in Logan City.

Flagstone is close to both city conveniences and South East Queensland’s most famous beaches, just an hour’s drive from both Brisbane’s CBD and the Gold Coast.

Surrounded by nature and built around connection to community parks and spaces, Flagstone offers everything modern homeowners are looking for, at a more affordable price.

“From our vision, Flagstone is no longer a future growth story – it is a thriving, connected community that people are proud to call home,” says Millbray General Manager Development Matt Fedrick.

“[Flagstone] is one of South East Queensland’s most vibrant and connected emerging regions.”

Mr. Fedrick describes Flagstone as a “close-knit” suburb, brimming with community spirit.

“It offers many amenities that are important to our residents,” he said.

“Perfectly positioned in Flagstone, Ashcroft connects you to everyday convenience, local shopping, healthcare and green open spaces.”

Ashcroft offers a close-knit, lifestyle-driven community close to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

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The lifestyle benefits that set Ashcroft apart

Ashcroft is the first 50+ lifestyle community approved in Flagstone and will include 293 homes ranging from two to three bedrooms.

The 5,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed amenities include a 25-meter heated pool, spa, four-lane bowling alley and pickleball courts.

There is a main hall, bar and sports lounge with pool tables and a golf simulator, plus a health and wellness center with a gym, multi-functional yoga and pilates studio and consultation rooms.

For residents who enjoy reflective or creative pursuits, Ashcroft will include a library, hobby room and cinema.

The master plan places a strong emphasis on walkability and integration with the surrounding green space.

“You’re surrounded by open space and interconnected walking trails, which is quite a unique opportunity for an over-50 lifestyle community,” Mr Fedrick says.

Ashcroft is perfect for over 50s who want to make the most of their time and home.

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A look behind the design thinking behind ‘Millbray Made’

Millbray is the land lease operator behind Ashcroft and brings a fresh, detail-oriented approach to the lives of the over 50s.

The ‘Millbray Made’ philosophy focuses on carefully designed communities and homes that are practical where it counts and designed to feel like ‘the perfect fit’.

Millbray engaged architects Arqus Design and interior designers Studio Collective to bring Ashcroft’s vision to life.

There are five house designs in a modern farmhouse style, each with generous living areas that connect seamlessly with the kitchen and dining area, plus a front veranda to encourage interaction with the neighbours.

The designs include features that make everyday life easier, including smart storage options and walk-in robes to optimize the use of space.

How life on lease offers more freedom for less

With the land lease model, residents own their homes and lease the land.

Communal facilities are maintained by the operator, with residents paying a weekly fee for their maintenance and use.

An important advantage is that residents do not pay stamp duty or exit costs when they sell their home, but they do keep any added value.

Mr Fedrick says the model makes new homes more financially accessible, with homes in Ashcroft likely to start in the high $500,000s.

“The leasehold model offers people an affordable way to buy a brand new home,” he says.

Ashcroft is expected to welcome its first residents from mid-2026.

They likely range from buyers who are still working and want homes with a built-in lifestyle and community, to grandparents who want to live closer to family in Flagstone.

Mr Fedrick says the benefits of living in an over-50s community like Ashcroft include the opportunities for connection and the hobbies residents can enjoy.