In the Pipeline: Koelsch Communities Continues Growth; $67M Virginian Renovation Complete

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Construction: Planned

A joint venture between Tredway and LIHC Investment Group will put $20 million in renovations to the Forest Hill House in Newark, New Jersey, the companies announced in a news release.

Rehabilitation work including upgrades to apartments, additional energy-efficiency improvements and additional services and programming for residents.

Additions will include Wi-Fi, on-site doctor’s office, beauty salon, barbershop and fitness center with mobility room. Apartments in the 10-story community will receive new windows, air conditioning units, Energy Star appliances and accessibility upgrades.

Kitchens and bathrooms will be “fully renovated” to add new cabinets, countertops, tiling, bathtubs, fixtures and flooring. Common area spaces will be improved and an upgraded security system will be added. Landscaping and new furniture will also be part of the community’s improvements.

This mark’s the second joint venture acquisition of an affordable senior living community this year. In March, both organizations in partnership with LM Development Partners acquired the 225-unit Riverview Towers in Camden, New Jersey.

Construction: Completed

Koelsch Communities announced its latest community under development in Bellevue, Washington will be completed this summer.

The $93 million Belle Harbour community, The Park at Belle Harbour, alongside The Inn at Belle Harbour, a memory care community, will consist of 145 suites across two buildings. 

Koelsch Communities

The assisted living component will include 73 apartment suites across three layouts, while the memory care building will be 72 units in private or shared units.

In a news release, Koelsch Communities said Belle Harbour was designed for a “bespoke, catered living experience with 24-hour access to nursing care.”

Alongside the Belle Harbour project, Koelsch Communities announced early lease-up success of its $112 million University Village project in Vancouver, Washington. In the release, the company said the 13-acre community less than a mile from the Washington State University Vancouver campus was 50% occupied.

The Park at University Village offers 136 suites of independent living alongside The Inn at University Village with 101 assisted living units. The Park development includes 26 cottages across three layouts.

Move-ins started late last year and is exceeding initial occupancy goals, according to the release. Koelsch Communities President Aaron Koelsch said the project marks a “new approach for aging, focusing on an active lifestyle” that promotes “lifelong learning and proactive health.” 

Koelsch Communities

“We have come to recognize that aging well and what constitutes a happy life has been redefined by the Boomer generation,” Koelsch said in the news release.

As part of University Village, the company employs a “Learning Concierge” that helps residents enroll in classes at the Vancouver area’s universities and community colleges.

The communities are also connected via skybridge. The general contractors were Koelsch Construction and Shearer Construction. Interior design services were provided by Judy Koelsch and JSK Design.

$67M renovation at The Virginian complete

The Life Care Services (LCS) managed community The Virginian in Fairfax, Virginia is now complete after years of construction.

The property is owned by Focus Healthcare Partners and is a 316-unit community. Phase one included the Shenandoah Memory Care community in 2022 followed by the second phase adding independent living and assisted living units, common areas, a wellness suite, outdoor amenities and outdoor facade upgrades was completed last month.

Architecture and design firm Meyer led renovations during the second phase and units were reconfigured to meet “market expectations and demand,” the company said in a news release.

Finishes were updated including lighting, plumbing and millwork in the kitchens and bathrooms. The second phase also added a fifth-floor concierge level with California closets, smart thermostats, and smart lighting and blinds.

A bistro and lounge were added to use underutilized space, and a grand staircase and wine cellar were added.

The Virginian offers residents a range of amenities, including a technology and art studio, golf simulator and theater. A new wellness wing features a 1,500-square-foot room for group fitness classes and events, a full-service salon and a fitness room. Additionally, the second floor now includes two art galleries showing rotating artwork from the Fairfax Art League.

The third floor of the community’s assisted living unit includes a community living room, library, bistro, dining room, activity room, salon, fitness center, and theater, all on the same floor to prompt resident socialization.

The project also includes multiple food and beverage venues with unique concepts, from grab-and-go bistro to full-service sports bar to a central restaurant.

Indiana community marks grand opening

The Evergreen Real Estate Group recently announced the completion of the Green Oaks of Valparaiso, a three-story community managed by Gardant Management.

The $30 million project includes 48 studio, 72 one-bedroom apartments for those 62 and older with incomes at or below 60% of the area’s median household income. 

Evergreen Real Estate Group

Evergreen Real Estate Group CEO Steve Rappin said the community marked the company’s second affordable assisted living community in Indiana.

Green Oaks of Valparaiso is licensed and regulated by the Indiana Department of Health. Additionally, it is approved as an assisted living Medicaid-waiver provider by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

Units include a kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave and individual air conditioning and heating. An emergency alert system was also installed for units.

Shared amenities include a fitness center, salon, library, computer room, dining area, meeting space and community center with a kitchen, media lounge, fireplace and theater room. Outdoor amenities include a pond, courtyard and pavilion.

The general contractor for the project was Evergreen Construction Company.

Other noteworthy projects

Construction: Planned

• Construction on a 179-unit community is set to begin this summer in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
• Plans for 245-unit community announced in Weston, Florida. 
• Plans by developer to build community on University of Hawaii-owned property recently surfaced. 

Construction: In Progress

• Charter Senior Living makes progress on West Bend, Indiana community construction. 

Construction: Completed

• American House Senior Living Communities announced the grand opening of a community in Haslett, Michigan.
• A $10 million community in Dellwood, Missouri recently opened.