How 7 best friends built a dream retirement home

The home that friendship built

Many of us daydream about our perfect forever home, but did you ever picture yourself growing old with your closest pals? These seven best friends made a promise to do just that.

They wanted to enjoy their retirement together, so they created a home that they and their families could share for the later years of their lives. We take a look at their remarkable journey.

A secluded spot

Let's start at the very beginning as told in a beautiful short film made by Chinese media start-up Yitiao. A group of friends stumbled across an abandoned building for sale in the suburbs of Guangzhou in Guangdong province, in the southeast of China.

While the property itself was rundown, the site was more than promising and the group decided to put into action a rather surprising plan they had made over 20 years previously.

Seven friends, one goal

Having met at work, the tight-knit group talked in 2008 about building a home together and living out their latter years by each other's sides “It was just a joke," they say in the video. "We said we would get together when we were 60 and live the retired life."

The home that friendship built

But what began as a casual discussion, soon became a serious plan when they found the perfect fixer-upper house for sale close to the city of Guangzhou on the banks of the Pearl River. The house was little more than a shell and it took a huge amount of work to turn it into the modern multi-generational home that stands there today...

Dreamy location

Situated on the edge of a small village outside the city, amongst rolling countryside and picturesque views (seen here), the location of the mansion was just what they'd been looking for.

Offering a slower, more peaceful pace of life, it was the perfect spot to while away their golden years.

A blank canvas

After purchasing the dilapidated three-storey red-brick property, the friends had to devise a plan to transform the empty shell into their dream group home.

Seen here before any work began and exposed to the elements, there was a lot of work to be done to make the structure habitable and create the rural retreat they had imagined.

Work in progress

According to the New York Post, the group raised around ¥4 million (approximately £463k/$580k)  between them to buy the extreme fixer-upper and complete the extensive renovations required.

The neglected structure was given a facelift with a new fresh white exterior, while glass extensions were added to create a streamlined, contemporary dwelling.

The finished product

After months of hard work, the completed 7,535-square-foot house is a modern masterpiece. Spread over three-and-a-half floors, the new design encourages communal living amongst the friends and their families, while retaining private pockets of space that they can retreat to.

Extra additions

During the project, the group decided to keep some of the original features of the red-brick house, including the columns that framed the front of the building.

A sleek glass addition was installed at the top of the structure, offering breathtaking views over the fields. Let's take a look inside...

A communal living space

The ground floor is taken up by the communal living spaces. The kitchen is a shared space for the girlfriends to gather and spend time together.

To accommodate their families at meal times, the room has a large dining table with additional seating at the breakfast bar. The black-framed windows contrast with the light interior, which has an airy feel thanks to the neutral colour palette.

Clever kitchen design

With so many people to cook for, it's no wonder the group opted for such a large kitchen space. The open-plan room has plenty of work surfaces and ample storage with open shelving, hardwearing worktops and bar stools for guests to sit at.

Simplistic style

Although they opted for a pared-back interior style, the star of this sophisticated space is the patterned kitchen wall tiling, which adds decorative detail to the minimalist room.

Overlooking the paddy fields, the friends enjoy cooking together here and they share the cleaning; many hands make light work!

Time for tea

Floating above the verdant landscape, a spectacular glass box extension was added to the front of the house to create a zen space for the group to enjoy tea together. With breathtaking views from three sides, it's one of the property's most impressive additions.

A peaceful spot

The tea room features a bamboo ceiling, soft floor cushions for relaxed seating and a modern chandelier draped in a light fabric to create a peaceful ambience when the sun goes down. What a special space!

Personal space

The mansion has been cleverly divided up to allow each of the friends and their respective families their own space. While all of the rooms on the ground floor are public areas, the upper two floors are home to the private bedrooms.

A room with a view

Looking out across the treetops, the bedrooms enjoy panoramic vistas of the countryside. Imagine waking up to the sun rising over the paddy fields – we can't think of a better way to start the morning! Soft, neutral décor ensures the home's jaw-dropping views take centre stage.

Social setup

The private rooms were designed not only as areas to relax but also as spaces to entertain. Each room has a small seating area and dining table so that members of the group can invite guests over and host them in privacy.

Eclectic furnishings

When it comes to interior fixtures, the friends took great pride in sourcing the furniture and handpicking the finishing touches for their home, collecting the colourful floor mats, bedside tables and accessories from locations as far-flung as India and Morocco.

Less is more

It’s clear that the group have superb taste, with the property reflecting their penchant for minimalist design. We’re loving their streamlined, uncluttered style and how they've managed to make even the most modern parts of the house feel cosy and welcoming.

Light and bright

No matter where you go in the house, the living spaces are filled with light, including the luxury bathrooms. A cleverly positioned window in this second-floor wash space allows residents to kick back and relax in the bath and enjoy the view in complete privacy.

The tea pavilion

As well as an indoor tea room, the seven like-minded girlfriends were keen to create a place where they could enjoy their favourite drink outdoors within the stunning grounds. And where better than in the middle of the fields that sit at the foot of their property?

Building bridges

A raised bamboo bridge was laid over the paddy field to create a walkway from the house to the remote pavilion. Nestled in the midst of a picturesque rural landscape, it's the perfect calming escape from the hustle and bustle of the main home.

Getting away from it all

The group of best friends will often sit out in the pavilion and enjoy tea together in the fresh air. In fact, they spent the last Mid-Autumn Festival, which typically falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, doing just that beneath the spectacular full moon.

Resplendent roof garden

Just in case the natural landscapes surrounding the house weren't enough, this flourishing rooftop space provides yet another serene hangout for the group.

Framed with colourful foliage, it's a tranquil oasis where residents can grab some alone time and soak up the enchanting surroundings.

Family first

The group plan to live separate lives with their families until their children have grown up. Once they're ready to embark on the next stage of their lives, they'll all return to the dream retirement home they built and grow old in luxury.

A multigenerational space

For now, the friends and their partners and families gather at the house during the festive seasons. They love nothing more than cooking up a feast and spending time together in the huge communal living space, a practice run for when they move in!

Mastering new skills

To ensure all the friends bring something useful to the home, they've all agreed to master a different skill before they retire. These range from cooking, traditional Chinese medicine, growing vegetables and playing the piano.

Speaking in a short documentary Jin Du, one of the seven, says: "Many people have said that they want to buy a house to live together with their friends but how many people actually did that? This is the most meaningful thing I have done in a long time."

Retirement plans

With their ages spanning around 10 years, the best friends can't wait to spend their golden years together. Looking forward to their communal retirement, they plan on having barbecues in the fields, singing and collecting food from the local village.

A dream come true

Thanks to their foresight and planning, the friends are now the proud owners of their own luxury retirement home and made good on a long-held promise.

The spectacular property, complete with a swimming pool, tea pavilion and sociable living spaces, awaits them when the time comes to kick back and enjoy a slower pace of life. What a lovely thing to look forward to!