Home to more than 70,000 expatriates from the United Kingdom, the island's former Colonial ruler, Cyprus in 2021 will see construction begin on the first retirement village, in Tsada, Paphos, with interest already building.

“The idea came from the founder of the project Lazaros (Lakis) Papadopoulos, who also owns the land in Tsada and an old mill that belongs to his family. Along with my business partner, Yiannis Farmakis, we got involved, and now we are ready to launch,” Nick Salatas of Cyprevico responsible for the project, told the Cyprus Mail.

It will be called Lazaris Mill and cost about 16 million euros ($18.95 million) to build 82 apartments and a small 24-room hotel, the paper said, the project designed by award-winning Cypriot architect, Vangelis Mavronicolas. 

Prices for a studio apartments start at 90,000 euros ($106,621.65) and around 130,000 euros ($154,009.05) for a two-bedroom apartment and three-bedroom places will also be available.

The village will also have round-the-clock nursing if necessary, supervised by the Evangelismos Hospital and had been in the planning for years before stalling, ironically revived during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There were a number of issues before we came along, Yiannis, my partner of 25 years, is a close friend of Lakis. We improved on the original idea and obtained all of the relevant licences for the hotel and the Evangelismos,” Salatas told the paper, adding that people are already willing to put down deposits.

The facilities will include designs for those with limited mobility or in wheelchairs and there won't be stairs, but elevators and larger doorways and bathrooms for handicapped access.

“We are not a care home but there will be some facilities for people that may need a little help later on in life,” Salatas said.