Living Choice has broken ground on its new Parkwood vertical retirement village in the Gold Coast.

The sod-turning ceremony, held last week after being pushed back due to the floods, marked the official start of works on Stage 1 of Living Choice Parkwood, which will comprise 69 luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments overlooking Parkwood Golf Course; the project will eventually feature 200 apartments.

The event was attended by more than 75 guests including a number of people who had pre-purchased apartments. Sales consultant Angie Hackett presented these future residents with name badges and apartment certificates, saying they were already part of the "Living Choice family".

“Soon after I started selling these apartments, I realised it was not just about the beautiful designs. I was selling safety, security and a strong sense of community.

“I believed in the concept so strongly that I have reserved an apartment for myself,” she said.

Stage 2 of the project, which is built within the Club at Parkwood Village lifestyle precinct, will include the village’s leisure centre with pool, cinema, gym, auditorium, terrace, and other facilities.

The operator is also expecting to break ground on its Galston retirement village in Sydney’s northern suburbs this year.