More than 100 “expressions of interest” have been submitted for places in the £40 million Hammerson House care home redevelopment in Hampstead Garden Suburb — 18 months before the first residents move in.

Nightingale Hammerson chief executive Helen Simmons expects the keys to be handed over late next year with residents taking their places from spring 2021.

She was heartened by the enthusiasm for the 116-place residential, nursing and dementia care facility, particularly as the official waiting list was not yet open.

Interest had come partly from people who knew of the charity’s reputation — its Nightingale home in Clapham is currently the only Jewish residential home rated outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission.

The Bishops Avenue location was also an attraction, as was the in-house physiotherapy, “something more and more people are looking for”.

Ms Simmons added that “the amount of communal space will be exceptional compared to the average care home. The bedrooms are larger than any we’ve built before with big windows. Every household of 20 rooms will have an outdoor terrace. We will also have four bariatric rooms [for those with weight issues].

“We would love to persuade a GP to be based on site. They can run a private practice as well but they would take our residents on as NHS.”

There have been inter-generational benefits from the pioneering nursery operating on the Nightingale House premises. Although Hammerson will not incorporate a nursery, the intention is to organise “daily inter-generational activities with local nurseries and schools. We have already started talking to Kerem.

“The garden has been designed with inter-generational in mind. We’re even putting in kids’ toilets. That’s the way we plan now.”

Half the cost of the Hammerson project is being met from reserves. Another £12 million has been raised, leaving a shortfall of £8 million.