"There's tremendous demand for senior housing in the Valley," says Ron Estes, director of operations for the Ryerson Co. When complete in early 2006, the 14-acre Heritage Campus will consist of three phases: the Heritage Tradition, a four-story complex with 228 independent living apartments that opened in December 2002; Heritage Legacy, a 45,000-sf assisted living facility with 41 apartments that opened earlier this month; and the Heritage Cottages, a project that includes 17 duplex buildings and 35 independent living units. Estes tells GlobeSt.com that Heritage Tradition is 100% leased while Heritage Legacy is 25% leased after being open only two weeks.

The Heritage Cottages will be adjacent to Heritage Legacy at 13813 N. Woodside Dr. and Heritage Tradition at 19303 New Tradition Rd. According to Estes, the third phase will offer seniors an alternative to the Heritage Tradition, which offers is more like a mid-rise apartment building with hallway access and no garages. "Some folks aren't prepared to leave their homes and move directly into a setting like the Tradition," he says. "The Cottages will helps (seniors) downsize from a home and help them transition to a different setting."

The single-story duplexes, with garages, will have units ranging from 1,300 sf to 1,400 sf. Rents will run from $3,500 to $4,000 per month, including meals and housekeeping.