Formerly a care home dating back almost 150 years, Nazareth House, in London Road, Westcliff, was razed to the ground at the start of last year.
Now, McCarthy Stone is nearing completion on the 60-apartment complex and is opening a show suite on December 12.
It is hoped new residents in the one and two-bedroom apartments, designed for the over 60s, will begin moving in next Easter.
A further 84 retirement apartments are due to be built on the site by developer Acorn.
Opened from 1873 as a home for the elderly as well as “sickly or incurable” children, the estate was owned by the Sisters of Nazareth after being used as a school for a brief period of time.
Rebecca Johnson, sales director at McCarthy Stone, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming people to show how McCarthy Stone can help them get more from their retirement, and we believe our newest development is perfect for those seeking a varied, yet peaceful retirement.
“We’re already experiencing high demand for our retirement properties at Haydn Place which went on sale earlier this year, so we’d like to encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about the development and its wealth of facilities and services to pop along.”
The complex was named Haydn Place in honour of Southend actor Richard Haydn.
The Show Suite opening event will provide a first glimpse of the stylish accommodation and vibrant lifestyle on offer at the complex, taking place on December 12 between 12-3pm.
On the day, visitors will be able to enjoy refreshments and take a tour of the professionally-styled show apartments, with the finished development set to house a spacious lounge and beautiful landscaped gardens.
Apartments are listed from £260,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and £375,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, with apartments also available to rent at £2,015 per month for one-bedroom, and a two-bedroom apartment for £3,060 per month.
Anne Jones, Labour councillor for planning and housing, said: “There will be a mix of housing to meet different needs on the site, with extra care housing needed to keep people well and safe in their homes.
“A welcomed clinical room is in place for doctors and nurses to come and see residents rather than them needing to
make appointments.
“It’ll make a lovely social space with a bus stop outside, and the housing company have involved the neighbouring school who used to sing for the residents of Nazareth House, so it’s good to keep that relationship maintained.
“Ultimately it’s a really welcomed development – Nazareth house has cared for people for over a century, so it’s good to see that site continue to provide housing for those that need it.
“St Helens Catholic Primary School was built on the site of the Nazareth footprint and had a longstanding relationship with the residents of Nazareth House, commuting between the two sites via an adjoining gateway.
“The children have had hard hat visits to the site during construction, and have had site staff visit the school for sessions on the works taking place with safety warnings, which I think is a shining example of how good the site staff are.”