Opus Builds High-End Independent Living Facility for Seniors in Houston Suburb

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorMissouri City, Texas–In a joint venture with Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Red Group LLC, and Seattle, Wash.-based Leisure Care, Opus West Corp. recently broke ground on a mixed-use project to be built on 24.7 acres in the Houston suburb of Missouri City, Texas.The Colonial Lakes Village project includes a 222-unit independent senior living community on 8.1 acres, called The Reserve at Colonial Lakes, as well as 50,000 square feet of office condo space, 5.2 acres of retail pad sites and 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space. The project is located at the northwest corner of State Highway 6 and Colonial Lakes Drive.The Reserve at Colonial Lakes is a high-end independent living facility, which will offer access-controlled covered parking and garages, heated swimming pool and spa, gardens and walking paths, a full-service day spa and salon, putting green, outdoor fireplaces and full pedestrian access to the adjacent lake and walking paths.“Geographically, we evaluated over a dozen markets in Houston and the demographics of this suburb appealed to us,” Robert Wheless, spokesperson for the project, tells MHN. “There is a high concentration of seniors here who have a high average income.” Missouri City has a total population of 63,345, with more than 16,000 of its residents falling into the 50-plus age range.  The one-, two- and three-bedroom units range in rent from $1000 to $3,500 per month. “Extensive market studies we conducted revealed that there is a high demand for a high-end senior housing product,” says Wheless. “After introducing it in three cities in Arizona, we wanted to bring it to Houston.”The community, comprising three- and four-story buildings, will be available for active seniors 62 years of age and older. Interior common areas of the building include a formal entry lobby and reception desk, restaurant-style dining room, bistro, multi-purpose room, chapel, salon and spa and movie theater. In addition, the community will include a number of signature programs/services developed by Leisure Care. They will include Prime Fit, a customized exercise program that helps residents achieve a higher level of personal fitness, strength and balance. The community also offers the Brain Fitness Program from Posit Science. This program stimulates memory, activity and communication and has proven scientific results upon completion of the eight-week course. The private residences range from 775 sq. ft. to 1,356 sq. ft. with full-size kitchens with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, weekly housekeeping and linen services, planned daily activities and outings, concierge service, nine-ft. ceilings, washer and dryers and a private patios or balconies. The senior residences are set for completion in the second quarter 2009. The office condos and retail portions of the project are projected for completion by first quarter 2009.