$30M Senior Living Project Breaks Ground in Suburban Chicago

Atria Highland Park

Capitol Seniors Housing has launched construction on Atria Highland Park in the Chicago North Shore suburb of Highland Park, Ill. The $30 million, 72,000-square-foot, three-story assisted living and memory care community at 1000 Central Ave. will feature 86 residential suites.

Designed Mosely Architects and interior design firm Studio Six 5, Atria Highland Park will include amenities chosen to spur socialization among residents. Public and private dining spaces, a bistro, living room, card room, library, high-tech theater, art studio, exercise room, and multi-purpose games and activities room are among the amenities. The 22-residential suite memory care area will feature a salon.

Picturesque views

“This was an unusual and special opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art senior living community at the gateway to downtown Highland Park, one of the premier neighborhoods on Chicago’s North Shore,” said Joe McElwee, principal, development for Capitol Seniors Housing, in prepared remarks. “The demographics are outstanding, the competitive environment in this high-barrier-to-entry city was favorable and we had a wonderful and cooperative experience with the local officials to produce a community that will fit in with the local architecture.”

Situated near Sunset Park, medical facilities, a post office and retail, the 1.8-acre site will include outdoor courtyards, a pedestrian crossing extending into Sunset Woods Park and views of Sunset Valley Golf Course to the rear of the setting. Among other site improvements, Capitol Seniors Housing will extend the Deerfield Road sidewalk and provide landscaping and seating along the Central Avenue sidewalk.

National senior living operator Atria Senior Living, with 225 communities including four in the Chicago area, will operate Atria Highland Park. Atria’s resident programming is highlighted by its signature event and activity program Engage Life, which uses resident surveys to tailor growth and fulfillment programs to interests of residents. Atria’s events calendar includes book discussions, gardening clubs, exercise classes, group outings, volunteer opportunities, art workshops and games. Residents are encouraged to remain engaged by leading classes and events based on their own individual passions and expertise.

Surmounting hurdles

“We are most appreciative of area leaders who worked with us to bring this project forward, recognizing the opportunity to develop an older part of town into something very special, which will serve the needs of a growing older adult population,” McElwee said.

Bringing the development to this point was not without its challenges, he added. “The biggest challenges were developing an infill location which was the site of 15 separate single family homes under multiple ownership [and] also to provide the proper architecture and site plan for a two-acre parcel that had to blend into the downtown area,” McElwee said.

Capitol Seniors Housing officials appreciate the opportunity to redevelop this area of Highland Park, said Capitol Seniors Housing managing partner Scott Stewart. “Residents and visitors of Atria Highland Park are going to be amazed with the community, which will offer all of the amenities senior adults desire,” he noted. “They also will enjoy an engaging community with a terrific social life supported by events, activities and outings.”

Image courtesy of Capitol Seniors Housing