Ex-Sunrise Development Team Begins Anew

SAN FRANCISCO-Several former development executives of Sunrise Senior Living Inc. this week launched Davos Development Senior Living Group LLC. Just as Sunrise Senior Living did before it shut down its development division last fall amid the recession, Davos will pursue senior living development and re-positioning opportunities nationwide and also assist third-party investors, property owners and operators with all phases of development, construction and asset management, but will not provide property management.

Davos team members include Sunrise’s former North American business unit leaders for product development and market strategy (Phil Downey) and construction (Chris Tatum), and well as its former regional development executives for the Northwest(Frank Rockwood), Southwest (Wayne Sant), and Central territories (Laura Hester). Rockwood, based in San Francisco, tells GlobeSt.com that Davos will pursue assisted living, stand-alone Alzheimer/dementia care, independent living, continuing care retirement communities (and other full service senior communities), and age-restricted multifamily communities (including affordable senior apartments).

Rockwood is optimistic about the company’s likelihood of success given his team’s experience and the senior living industry in general. The company, which launched yesterday after the team signed off on the partnership agreement, is already working on various assignments, Rockwood says. The work includes development opportunities for which Davos is trying to piece together financing, and consulting work for property owners who feel senior living is the most suitable use.