Don MacKenzie, head of his namesake company, tells GlobeSt.com that despite the city's affluence and aging population, there have been no new senior-living projects developed in the city since 2001. MacKenzie is primarily known for his high-end rental and condo projects in the metro area.

The complex is being built at 5344 S. Kipling Pkwy. just south of Belleview Avenue and will offer 65 assisted living units and 20 Alzheimer units. Anticipated opening is summer 2006 with average rents of $3,770 per month.

The two-story facility will include a central nursing station on the first floor, a 1,500-sf dining hall and activity room. Other amenities will include a 20-seat movie theater, after-hour's bistro and a sun patio with gas grill and fireplace. MacKenzie says it will have the same design features found in high-end apartment projects.

MorningStar Assisted Living will be the operator and manager MorningStar Littleton. "I'm a developer, not an operator," MacKenzie tells GlobeSt.com. The facility was designed by Lantz-Boggio Architects and will be built by Palace Construction.

MacKenzie House also plans for two larger continuing-care campuses in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. Each will have a completed value of about $60 million, he says. The three senior-living projects will offer maintenance-free, socially oriented communities to foster longevity through social interaction, community involvement and education, he says. The Colorado Springs and Fort Collins properties will also offer rental and for sale product.

"I also have two large campuses in the pipeline," he tells GlobeSt.com. "Together, I have about $200 million in assisted living developments going forward."