The retiree moved into the new luxury residence back in the beginning of February, not long after it opened, and he hasn't looked back since.

His main reason for moving in?

"I'm a lousy cook," he said.

The Heatherwood, built next door to the St. Catharines Place assisted living centre and owned by the same people, features 80 independent living suites with full service. Tenants have all their cleaning done for them and have their meals prepared by a master chef.

Each unit in the four-floor building occupies a single level and is complemented by 19 public parlours -- most on the first floor -- that include a movie theatre, a gym and a spa.

Kim Cairns, marketing director for PrimeTime Living, said the suites, which range from $50 a day to $200 a day, appeal to people who no longer want the responsibility of owning a home.

"These people have decided the 10 to 20 hours people spend maintaining their home, that they'd rather be doing other things," she said at last Saturday afternoon's black tie gala to mark the opening of the residence.

Though it is marketed as a 60-plus residence, Cairns said not all tenants will be retirees. She said many aging baby boomers are retiring from their initial career only to start on a second career in something they are passionate about but might not pay as much. And by selling their home and banking the proceeds, they are able to afford this luxury lifestyle, she said.

Moving out of a home also saves people ongoing maintenance costs, as well as property taxes, she said.

Cairns said she believes this home is the first of its kind in Canada, and even North America, but won't be the last. "We want to be copied," she said. "Our seniors deserve it."

For Blamires, the only issue he has with the place is that the "R" word in the name.

"Why they call it retirement, I don't know," he said. "I know a bunch of guys who would love to live here."