CHICAGO—As reported yesterday in GlobeSt.com, the aging of the US population has touched off a flurry of new construction in the senior housing sector. A new group of developers has taken part in this expansion, and many have sought to differentiate their product by bringing in concepts and designs typically found in luxury rental buildings or hotels.
“There has been a shift in the thought process when it comes to these communities,” Chuck Taylor, director of operations for commercial general contractor Englewood Construction, tells GlobeSt.com. A few years ago, his company was well known for its work in the retail and hospitality sectors. But recently, an investment group wanted to give its senior housing properties a hospitality vibe, and brought in Lemont, IL-based Englewood to supply “a fresh approach.”
“They don't want these communities to look like stodgy old folks' homes,” he adds, so the jobs involve more than new paint and touch-ups. Although older, many residents “are still very active people,” and crave spaces where they can socialize, whether it's a bar, hotel-style lounge, community garden, fire pit or walking path. “You need something more than a big, brightly lit bingo hall.”
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Brian J. Rogal
Brian J. Rogal is a Chicago-based freelance writer with years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, most notably at The Chicago Reporter, where he concentrated on housing issues. He also has written extensively on alternative energy and the payments card industry for national trade publications.
