Resort-like homes for seniors
Watermark, Hines open project with advanced amenities, services
Watermark Retirement Communities and Houstonbased Hines have opened The Watermark at Houston Heights, a resort-like senior living midrise focused on supporting a healthy lifestyle and lifelong learning.
The project, one of global development firm Hines’ first in the senior living space and Watermark’s first Elan Collection property in Texas, imports hospitality elements found in modern apartment and hotel developments. Designed to attract the next generation of seniors, the building features places throughout for people to sit down and enjoy each other and a host of amenities on par with a wellness spa.
“We’re truly trying to build buildings for the next generation of seniors, and that’s the baby boomer generation, so that’s drives a lot of our design and programming decisions,” said Meg Meliet, director of senior living and healthcare development at Hines.
That means yoga studios, a full-service salon, spa with massage tables, a fitness center overlooking an outdoor pool, a movie theater, art studio and golf simulator for use by residents and their families. Plus, four dining venues and outdoor terraces with skyline views from downtown to the Galleria.
Designed to attract seniors who live in Heights area and want to be near their families, shopping, restaurants and entertainment, the sevenstory tower sits on nearly two acres at 1245 W. 18th St.
The Watermark at Houston Heights provides 222 residences, including 201 independent living and assisted living units and 21 memory care units. Many of the spaces have floor to ceiling windows to let in natural light.
The rents range from $3,000 to $8,000 for units from 380 square feet to 1,500 square feet. It includes a $500 allowance members can spend as they choose on options such as personal training, a beauty salon, or wine, beer, liquor, coffee drinks and meals at four on-site dining venues. There’s also a onetime membership fee ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
A key part of Watermark Retirement, which operates 70 retirement communities including six recently launched upscale Elan Collection properties, is Watermark University. The program is designed to engage residents and staff through opportuni
ties to teach subjects they’re passionate about, and represents a shift from retirement communities of the past where the focus was on entertainment, said Watermark Retirement CEO David Freshwater.
Any topic goes. An ex-CIA agent taught spy classes. One Watermark employee teaches a hip hop class that’s not only well attended, but is an example of how the program builds connections with residents.
“The importance of this is not just in creating incredible content, but also to empower both the residents and our employees to be engaged and involved,” Freshwater said.
Engaging the mind is part of other areas. Memory care residents have access to a personal pantry stocked with their favorite items, bringing a sense of familiarity and comfort. Seniors can revisit their childhood home or ski on a mountain top at the virtual reality lounge.
Hines and Watermark, based in Tucson, Ariz., hired top architects and designers in the hospitality and multifamily fields. The building was designed by Munoz + Albin Architecture and Planning, which designed a new residential apartment tower and hotel at La Colombe d’Or in Montrose, while Looney & Associates, which handled interiors at downtown’s Marriott Marquis, designed the interiors.
Multifamily in the mix for ages 55 and up
Woodforest, a Johnson Development community in Montgomery north of The Woodlands, is getting its first apartment community.
Realty 1 Partners, a real estate development firm based in the Houston area, is preparing to open an urban-style apartment complex for ages 55 and up at 920 Pine Market Ave., according to an announcement by Woodforest. The Lofts at Pine Market will contain 51 units, ranging from 560 to 1,411 square feet, with monthly rents expected to start at $1,500.
“These luxury apartments will provide an urban type of experience with dining and retail all within walking distance,” Woodforest General Manager Virgil Yoakum said in an announcement. “More retail is under construction now, but the first two phases of Pine Market are nearly full as retailers, restaurants and service providers are drawn by our growing population, which stands at about 10,000.”
Managed by Magnolia Property Co., The Lofts at Pine Market is scheduled to open in July. The complex is part of phase three of Pine Market, a development by Realty 1 Partners anchored by Harvest Market grocery store. Slated for completion by the fourth quarter, phase three will bring 70,000 square feet of retail and apartments.
Rooftops coming to Royal ISD
Houston-based Bold Fox Development has purchased 215 acres in Brookshire for its next residential community. The project could bring 650 to 700 houses, with initial lots expected to be ready for builders in early 2024.
The land, located north of Interstate 10 near Gassner Road and FM 362 within the Royal Independent School District, was purchased from the Phillips family. Tommy LeBlanc and John-Michael Kamel with Avison Young represented Bold Fox Development. Tracy Gerken with Tejas Properties represented the seller.
The property is about 40 miles west of downtown Houston in a rural area of Waller County, just past major distribution centers for Costco and Amazon.
The project represents the fourth development for Bold Fox since being founded by Alex Kamkar in 2019. Home sales are underway in Venetian Pines, a 45-acre community in Conroe, and construction will begin next month on the 21acre Cherrywood Estates in Tomball. The 470-acre Attwater community in Waller is on track to break ground in the fourth quarter.