Work Gets Underway on Wellness-Centric St. Clair Apartments for Seniors in Tennessee

St Claire Apartments

Maryville, Tenn.–St. Clair Apartments at Asbury Place Merryville, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Maryville, Tenn., moves closer to becoming a reality as Asbury Inc. commences construction of the independent living apartment building. The $6 million facility will center on the accommodation of the 55-year-old-plus residents’ pursuit of health and wellness.

St. Clair is part of an expansion endeavor that will add 48 units to the collection of independent living residences at Asbury Place, which is located about 20 miles south of Knoxville. The new apartment building will be erected at 2648 Sevierville Road at the 40-acre campus. Residents will have the option of one-, two- and three-bedroom units with floor plans spanning 900 to over 1,200 square feet. In addition to St. Clair, the expansion will yield a new wellness center offering fitness classes and a dining room for bistro-style and private dining. Additionally, the property’s existing clubhouse will undergo a substantial upgrade.

“A wellness center and fitness classes–this is something you didn’t think about for people 55 years of age, but it’s a direct response to what people want,” Chuck Morris, principal of Morris Creative Group L.L.C. and spokesman for Asbury, tells MHN. “This really taps into what Asbury’s market research shows is the trend for the 55 and over community. They want a more active lifestyle and they want to stay independent as long as they can. Asbury Place has a putting green on site, and it’s close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the country. It really makes sense that we upgrade to be more in line with what residents need.”

Independent living options at Asbury Place, like St. Clair Apartments, comprise just one facet of the CCRC’s offerings. “The apartments are for those who want an active lifestyle but still want to have the security of knowing there is someone there to take care of you later,” he says. The campus provides a full continuum of care that includes assisted living accommodations and senior nursing care. Asbury also operates Asbury Place communities in Kingsport and Johnson City in East Tennessee.

“The whole industry has undergone a sea change in the approach to aging as we improve our health and begin to live longer,” Morris adds. “Most people are used to the traditional nursing home idea; they’re not used to the CCRC concept and that is what we hope to change.”