A place for seniors

The Palace Group is building a new community in Weston.

The senior living community with two brands in Miami-Dade County, is expanding to Broward.

The Palace Group has started construction of a 320-unit project in Weston. The 7.5-acre site — called The Palace at Weston — could be open by 2020.

The project, at 16025 Emerald Estates Drive, is next door to The Palms at Weston, an adults-only condominium that opened in 2008.

The Palace at Weston, which will be rental units, will have three levels of care: independent, assisted living and memory care.

Comparable projects are The Palace Gardens Homestead, which is assisted living and memory care; Homestead Manor, providing rehabilitation services in Homestead; The Palace Coral Gables, offering independent and assisted living in Coral Gables and The Palace Kendall campus which provides independent, assisted living, memory care and nursing.

The Weston units will range from 834 square feet to 1,200 square feet, with dens in both the independent and assisted living areas.

“Our research indicates there is the growing desire for additional space for families and/or caregivers within apartments, and we want to raise the bar of expectations,” said Jacob Shaham, CEO of The Palace Group, in a statement.

The independent living area will have a theater, fitness complex with a yoga room, and restaurant in its public space. There will also be a courtyard and swimming pool.

In the assisted living quarters, residents will have access to a theater, library, arts and crafts area and courtyard with swimming pool.

The memory care area will include a plaza and bar, activity room and the multi-sensory memory care programming amenities such as a multi-sensory room for calming and relaxation, physical therapy and a medical clinic.

County property records show the vacant land was purchased for $15 million in 2006.