DC-Area Senior Project Features Hotel Touches

By Keith Loria

When studioSIX5 set out to create interiors for Tribute at the Glen, Thrive Senior Living’s new 140-unit development in Woodbridge, Va., the design firm aimed for a result that was both appealing and unconventional. 

“The appeal of Tribute at the Glen is that it defies expectations of what senior living can be,” Jason Hinson, designer for studioSIX5, told MHN. “Everything at TTG is elevated— from the exterior architecture to the interior finishes to the artwork, furnishings and accessories. The bright, contemporary interiors are a welcome respite to anyone who has spent any time in more traditional senior living communities which tend to be traditionally styled with dark finishes and heavy furniture.”

Located at 4151 Old Bridge Road, the development is dedicated to assisted living and memory care. It opened in January 2017 and is currently accepting residents.

“If you can’t be at home, where would you want to be? Thrive Senior Living believes that for most people the answer is a boutique hotel,” Hinson said. “The aesthetic and layout of Tribute at The Glen mirrors what one would expect to find in hotel. This starts in the lobby where a coffee bar, an over-sized gas fireplace and hospitality-inspired standing-height reception desk greets residents and guest, and continues throughout the property. There are multiple all-day dining options including grab-and-go snacks, counter-service café and a formal restaurant.”

Tribute at the Glen offers a movie theater with surround sound; a full-service beauty and barber salon; a luxury coach for outings; a private dining room for special family occasions; open air terraces; and state-of-the-art call systems.

“The owners of Tribute at the Glen gave us a lot of creative freedom, so we used our imaginations to present both interesting and timeless designs,” Hinson said. “There is an ambiance of understated elegance, with pops of glam throughout.”

The aesthetics consist of custom carpeting and lighting, cool neutral tones with pops of bright color, and vibrant backsplashes and accent pieces complemented by textured neutral walls and countertops.

“When I am considering what décor, color schemes, furniture and artwork I would like to use in each senior living community, I don’t think of what I imagine a senior would like, I think of designs that anybody would gravitate toward, myself included,” Hinson said. “I want the interior design to inspire people.”

According to Hinson, the design began with the selection of polished chrome pieces and other items that complemented those anchor pieces.

“Shiny materials carried through the interiors, giving the community a much more contemporary look,” he said. “One of my favorite features is the custom carpets throughout. These coupled with eye-catching lighting really set the tone for a glamorous environment and boutique-hotel vibe.”

Located in the Washington, D.C. metro area, the community lies at the intersection of two major streets, and is accessible from I-95. 

“Tribute at The Glen is directly across the street from The Glen shopping center. The center features 12 restaurants, a grocery store, a fitness studio, a dry cleaner, a wine store, an optometrist’s office and various other shops and service providers,” Hinson said. “Paved ADA-accessible walking paths connect the community’s grounds to the public sidewalks and transportation, allowing residents who no longer drive to remain engaged in the surrounding community.