Investing In Growth | Aldersgate Village
Photo by Braden Dimick
Drive through the 168-acre Aldersgate Village senior living community and you will see growth unfolding right before your eyes. Construction is underway on two new Home Plus residences, and they have broken ground on 13 new single-family homes.
Construction on the first Home Plus building should be completed in January, with completion of the second building immediately following. Each Home Plus residence will have 12 private suites, complete with bathrooms and showers. The suites are arranged around a shared great room, kitchen, dining area and screened in porch.
“Our Home Plus residences give people an option for assisted living that marries the comforts of home with a level of care that can be customized to each individual’s needs,” said Renessa Lolley, director of sales and marketing. “Research has shown that people who need assisted living thrive better in a home setting.”
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
In addition to the Home Plus residences, Aldersgate Village is comprised of independent living apartments, garden homes, cottages, and villas. Over the past almost 25 years, Aldersgate has undertaken several construction projects to grow its campus to more than 250 units.
In 2017, Aldersgate Village constructed six duplex style villas, residences that provide almost 2,000 square feet of living space.
“These villas are really just like traditional houses you would find in neighborhoods across the city,” Lolley said. “However, residents in our villas have access to all of our independent living services.”
Those services include all exterior and interior maintenance, as well as housekeeping and laundry services. In addition, residents have the option of dining at the Aldersgate Village restaurant if they don’t feel like cooking.
An increase in demand for assisted living services with a more homelike environment, Aldersgate Village built its first Home Plus residence in 2019. The demand for the Home Plus units quickly exceeded the 12-unit capacity, and people were relegated to a wait list. That demand prompted the decision to build the two new buildings in 2022.
“Even though there is always some risk with any investment,” Lolley said. “We already had enough people on the wait list who wanted to reserve the new units, so we felt that the need is there.”
FOREVER HOMES
Construction of six Bristol Cottage single family homes was completed in 2020. Each home is 1,850 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen and a 2-car garage. Lolley said people are often surprised when they visit the independent living options available at Aldersgate.
“People often don’t understand what independent living means. There is still a misconception that when people come to independent living it will be like a nursing home,” Lolley said. “They are shocked when they actually see what our cottages and villas have to offer.”
As Aldersgate Village continues to build modern housing options for seniors, it isn’t just locals who are taking notice.
“We had a couple move to Aldersgate Village from Arizona and another one move from California,” Lolley said. “They had connections here, and when they visited us, they were pleasantly surprised at what we had to offer. Plus, the cost of living is so much less expensive here, it just made sense for them to move.”
Lolley says they often see people transition from independent living to assisted living or Home Plus, depending on their needs or preferences.
“People can move into independent living and stay in that home until end of life. They can add on services as needed, including up to 24-hour care. This flexibility allows them to age in place,” Lolley said.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
With construction almost complete on the two new Home Plus buildings, Aldersgate Village has already broken ground on 13 new single-family homes located on the NW corner of the campus} directly behind the new Stormont Vail Clinic. Those homes are expected to be completed in the fall of 2023.
