Lifetime of Luxury

South Florida gains upscale choices for senior living

By Martin Lenkowsky

Why would someone accustomed to the finer things in life have to live without them in their twilight years? With the growth of luxury senior living communities in South Florida, there’s no reason to sacrifice.

Life expectancy and overall health are increasing, and luxury senior living communities are adding amenities that reflect that trend. Residents might start the day with a fitness class or a swim in a heated pool, have a spa treatment and meet friends for cocktails before enjoying a gourmet dinner. It’s equivalent to five-star living.

Retired scientist Marcia Bosseler has lived in the Palace at Coral Gables for 2½ years and loves the lifestyle. “This is not a place where I’m going to ask, ‘What am I going to do today?’ ” she says. “There’s so much to do. There are so many people with interesting stories to tell.”

She takes advantage of everything available at the Palace, which has nine senior living communities in South Florida. “I’m still productive,” she says. “I feel ageless, learning and doing new things. A 98-year-old lady is teaching me to play bridge.”

Bosseler makes use of the free transportation offered by the facility. “It’s a trolley that takes us around to our appointments and shopping,” she says. And there’s the gourmet dining. “The food is very good. They had a new chef last night who made a ‘back to New York’ deli theme,” she adds.

“Aging does not mean slowing down,” says Michael Brown Jr., executive director of Atria at Villages of Windsor in Lake Worth. “Seniors are living longer and healthier. There’s a much more energetic senior population today. They’re more and more concerned with healthy living. They still want to enjoy our high-end amenities. I think the seniors in South Florida want to exercise every day. They want to challenge themselves mentally and physically.”

From a business standpoint, Brown points to a changing paradigm in the South Florida market. He says the traditional buy-in market is giving way to high-end rental communities, allowing parents and their heirs not to give away all their liquidity. “We think with today’s more modern seniors, a straight rental business model works,” he says. “People are planning better for the long-term and looking for larger apartments with high-end amenities.”

Allegro Jupiter has monthly rates starting at $4,132

Other luxury senior communities have a different business model with buy-ins that sometimes are partially refunded when a resident leaves or dies.

Scott Brill is sales manager at Five Star Premier Residences of Pompano Beach, a 10-story high-rise across from the ocean. “We have more of an active clientele,” he says. “More of our vibrant residents still drive, and enjoy going to the beach.”

Brill agrees the growing trend in luxury senior living is steering towards rental options. “The pendulum has swung back to rentals,” he says.

Adam Rosenblum, the Palace Group’s vice president of marketing, agrees. “I see more high-end rentals,” he says. “People don’t want to tie up their assets.”

As part of maintaining their residents’ active lifestyles, most luxury senior facilities provide restaurant-style, chef-prepared meals. With many of today’s seniors becoming more health-conscious, the communities are paying particular attention to providing nutritionist-supervised meals. Almost all these facilities provide spacious, lushly landscaped walking trails along with modern exercise equipment. Many offer physical therapy and massages as part of their spa services.

And for those retirees who want to keep the party going, another growing trend is happy hours with wine, beer, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before a formal dinner.

Most luxury senior communities offer both independent and assisted-living arrangements. Increasingly, they offer secured, enclosed areas for residents suffering from memory issues including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Trained individuals with experience in working with those conditions typically are available on-site.

Another common mainstay is 24-hour concierge service for residents. And because many residents— including some who might still be working—want to keep their business acumen intact, business centers are on-site with computers available.

Jean Francis Roy, who heads Ocean Land developers, is planning a luxury rental community in downtown Fort Lauderdale, called Riverwalk Residences of Las Olas. The 42-story, 401-unit will include independent living, assisted living as well as memory-care apartments. He plans to have doctors’ offices, physical therapy, and daycare on-site. He sees it as even more than a rental apartment community. “It’s like a five-star hotel,” he says.

Keith Myers, CEO of MorseLife Health System, says, “Today, luxury senior living is about creating an environment that is not only opulent, but also meets all your lifestyle needs without ever needing to leave home.

On the right are some details about some of the communities in South Florida.

Allegro (Jupiter)

1031 Community Drive, Jupiter

allegroliving.com/jupiter-fl.html

• Monthly rates start at $4,132. Amenities include:

• Chef-prepared meals served restaurant-style in main dining room or delivered to rooms.

• Weekly housekeeping and linen service.

• Social, recreational and educational activities planned by a full-time lifestyle director.

• Full-time concierge.

• Fitness and wellness center with exercise classes.

• Spa services including salon and barber services.

• Outdoor heated lap pool and whirlpool.

• Theater with stadium seating.

• Resident emergency response system.

• Lush gardens and walking paths.

• Putting green.

• In-house cable channel.

Allegro (Boynton Beach)

11450 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach

allegroliving.com/boynton-beach-fl.html

• Monthly rates start at $3,850. Amenities include:

• Chef-prepared meals served restaurant-style in main dining room or delivered to rooms.

• Bistro for wine, cocktails, tapas and special entertainment.

• Casual dining café.

• Fitness/wellness center.

• Salon and spa with sauna, whirlpool and steam room.

• Theater with stadium seating.

• Woodworking and crafts.

• Putting green.

• Library with fireplace.

• Full-time concierge.

• Weekly housekeeping and linen service.

• Scheduled transportation to medical appointments, shopping and activities.

• Social, recreational and educational programs planned by a full-time lifestyle director.

• Outdoor heated lap pool and whirlpool.

Atria at Villages of Windsor

9130 Hypoluxo Road, Lake Worth

atriaseniorliving.com/sites/atria-at-villages-of-windsor-lake-worth-fl/

• Units are rental-only; monthly rates $3,950-$5,800. No entrance fee. Additional charges for salon and spa services, liquor at the bar and guest dining. Community scheduled to open Oct. 13, with completion in December. Amenities include:

• Full-time concierge.

• Fine dining.

• Hotel/resort style pool.

• Fitness and yoga facilities.

• Hollywood-style screening room.

• Modern technology.

• Chauffeured car service.

• Pet-friendly environment.

Five Star Premier Residences of Hollywood

2840 N. Park Road., Hollywood

fivestarseniorliving.com/communities

• Rental community with no upfront endowment fees. A one-time community fee equal to one month’s rent is required and is nonrefundable. Monthly fees are $3,000-$5,000 (independent), or $4,000-$6,500 (assisted and memory care). Amenities include:

• Restaurant-style dining.

• Recreational and social activities.

• Heated outdoor pool.

• Game rooms.

• Computer center with high-speed internet access.

• Fitness center.

• Library.

• Beauty salon.

• Putting green.

• Transportation.

• 24-hour staff.

• Laundry and housekeeping.

Five Star Premier Residences of Pompano Beach

1371 S. Ocean Blvd.,

Pompano Beach

fivestarseniorliving.com/communities

• Rental only. Monthly prices $3,100-$4,200. All residents pay a community fee upon admission equal to one month’s rent.

• Two meals per day,

• Oceanview dining room on the 10th floor.

• All utilities included (except landline phone and internet access.)

• Private car service for scheduled appointments.

• Bus for shopping, events, etc.

• Housekeeping and laundry services.

• Swimming pool and whirlpool.

• Entertainment.

• Bridge and mahjong groups.

• Physical fitness, yoga and aerobics.

Levin Tower

at MorseLife

4850 Ryna Greenbaum Drive,
West Palm Beach

morselifetower.com

• New community due for completion this month. Rental only with no buy-ins or entrance fee. Monthly rates $5,400-$7,700. One- and two-bedroom floor plans available. Monthly second-person fee of $900. Amenities include:

• Dining at three restaurants—main dining room, bistro and kosher restaurant.

• Spa.

• Concierge.

• Fitness classes.

• Cultural activities: fitness, author lectures, social groups and more.

• Valet parking.

• Weekly housekeeping.

• Indoor and outdoor pools.

• 24-hour emergency response on campus.

• Utilities, including cable and Wi-Fi internet access.

Riverwalk Residences of Las Olas

333 N. New River Drive East,

Fort Lauderdale

Website under construction

• Construction is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2018. The project should take 30 months to complete. It will consist of a 42-story building with 401 units, including 192 independent-living apartments, 152 assisted-living apartments and 57 memory care residences. Monthly fees start at approximately $5,000. No admission fees. Pre-qualifying fee applies. Amenities will include:

• Doctors’ offices on site.

• Physical therapy.

• Adult daycare.

• Full-floor fitness center.

• Luxury restaurant overlooking Fort Lauderdale.

• Swimming pool.

• Business center.

• Arts and crafts classes.

• Exercise groups.

• Computer classes.

• Transportation.

375 Royal Palm

375 E. Royal Palm Blvd.,

Boca Raton

pennflorida.com

• The formal name of this 193-unit rental community will be determined before groundbreaking begins in early 2018. Opening projected late 2019. Nonrefundable reservation or community fee likely, with additional fees based on level of care needed. Amenities will include:

• Recreation and social areas with a wide array of programs.

• Health and wellness center with physician offices and physical therapy.

• Salon and spa with heated swimming pool.

• Art studio.

• Clubroom with bar.

• Café.

• Fitness center.

• Library.

• Covered pool.

• Courtyard.

• Group and private dining areas.

• Concierge services.

• Housekeeping services.

• Transportation services.

Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences

21036 95th Ave. S, Boca Raton

sinairesidences.com

• Entrance fees start in the low $400,000s , with 90 percent refund regardless of stay. Monthly fees start at $3,270, with all utilities included. Amenities include:

• Social, recreational, educational and cultural programs.

• Fine dining room with kosher options.

• Bistro café.

• Separate cocktail lounge and courtyard for alfresco dining.

• Fitness center.

• Resort-style covered swimming pool.

• Full-service day spa.

• Movie theater.

• Art studio.

• Auditorium.

• Computer/business center.

• Putting green.

• Card rooms.

• Wellness center.

• Library.

• Salon and barbershop.

• 23 acres of landscaped grounds.

• Private dining.

• Club room with big-screen TVs, card tables and billiards.

• Walking paths.

• Locker rooms with showers.

• Concierge.

• Weekly housekeeping.

• Scheduled transportation.

• 24-hour security.

• Valet parking.

• Garage parking.

• Guest suite for rent.

• Apartment & appliance maintenance.

• 24-hour nurses in
independent living.

The Residences of United HomeCare

9355 SW 158th Ave., Miami

theresidencesuhc.com

• Community of 122 studio and one-bedroom units. All-inclusive monthly fee $4,100-$5,600 (private residence), or $2,800 (semi-private or residence). Long-term care insurance accepted. Optional fees for companionship services, beauty salon, barber shop and transportation more than 10 miles. Assisted living care offered for individuals 65-over. No memory care. Amenities include:

• Lake view.

• Gourmet dining room.

• Gym.

• Designated parking.

• Complimentary transportation up to 10 miles.

• Beauty salon.

• Barber shop.

• Recreation spaces.

• Active cultural and social monthly events.

Vi at Aventura

19333 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura

miami.viliving.com

• Entrance fees begin at $184,000, depending on floor plan and return options (zero, 50 or 90 percent). Monthly fee begins at $4,110. One- and two-bedroom plans (with and without dens) available. Amenities include:

• Patio or balcony.

• Large bedrooms with safety features

• Washer and dryers.

• Basic utilities.

• Emergency call system.

• Digital cable TV.

• Housekeeping.

• Regularly scheduled maintenance.

• Valet parking services.

• Spa and beauty services.

• Happy-hour cocktails.

• Library.

• Hotel-style rooms available for guests, by reservation.

• Two pets per residence, under 30 pounds.

• Healthy chef-prepared meals.

• Casual bistro dining and fine dining restaurants with table service.

• Fully stocked bar, and a curated wine list at an additional charge.

• Custom-tailored menus.

• Formal and casual indoor and outdoor dining.

• Private dining room.

• Carryout & delivery service options.

• Cultural and community activities.

• Scheduled transportation to churches and synagogues.

• Fitness center with instructors and classes.

• Heated salt-filtered indoor pool and whirlpool.

• Paved walkways.

• Landscaped courtyards.

• Close to Waterways Dog Park.

Vi at Lakeside Village

2792 Donnelly Drive, Lantana

lantana.viliving.com

• Admission fee starts at $155,900, based on floor plan and repayment options (zero, 50 or 90 percent). Additional fees apply for miscellaneous items, such as salon services and alcohol. Amenities include:

• Large closets and bedrooms with safety features.

• Patio or balcony.

• Washer and dryer.

• Kitchen.

• Basic utilities, digital cable TV and an emergency call system.

• Weekly housekeeping.

• Regularly scheduled maintenance and home repairs.

• Scheduled transportation for shopping, outings and appointments.

• Salon at Lakeside Village.

• Happy-hour cocktails.

• Gourmet meals.

• Breakfast in the gazebo.