Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Senior apartments planned at Shriners Palm Beach Gardens
Plans are moving forward to turn the Shriners fraternal organization’s building in Palm Beach Gardens into housing for active seniors.
United Group of Cos., an upstate New York development firm, is expected to present its proposal for two, five-story buildings before the Palm Beach Gardens City Commission in December.
The $60 million project, called Arcadia Gardens, would have 220, one- and two-bedroom rental apartments, including 10, twobedroom, penthouse-level suites with upgraded finishes and appliances, at 3650 RCA Blvd. The units would measure from 726 square feet to 2,322 square feet. Rents have not yet been revealed, but one requirement would be a must: The primary resident would have to be at least 55 years old, according to Tim Haskins, the project manager.
The community would feature a resort-style pool, outdoor kitchen and fire pit, croquet, pickleball and bocce courts, dog park, and a scenic private lake with walking paths. There also would be a 15,000-square-foot community clubhouse, with a fireplace, game room, arts and crafts room, media center, fitness center and yoga studio, and on-site private salon and spa.
Residents would have access to fitness and aqua aerobics classes as well as other health and wellness services; finance, legal and administrative support; transportation services to stores, pharmacies and restaurants; and a monthly calendar of social events.
“There are an abundant number of people who are seniors living in homes, getting to the stage [where they are] looking for options to downsize from that home but not ready for the next level of care that other properties in the area provide,” Haskins said.
If approved, construction is expected to start in summer 2019 and be completed in late spring 2021.
United Group also is building senior housing in Sarasota and Stuart.
Haskins declined to reveal the purchase price for the Shriners building but said the 11-acre site would be sold once all the project approvals have been finalized, likely in the spring.
The Shriners, a charitable men’s fraternity, was founded in the 1800s. The Amara Shriners chapter has owned the land since 1976, according to Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office records. A woman answering the phone at the Amara Shrine Center on Monday declined to say whether the organization would be relocating, and a board member could not be reached for comment.