The Buckingham, an SQLC retirement community, is moving right along with the construction of 183 new residences, and seniors in Houston are responding positively. Once completed, the $72 million project will add 80 new jobs to the Houston economy and allow the community to provide resort-style retirement living for nearly 200 additional residents.
“Construction is still underway, and we are already 75 percent pre-sold at the new independent living tower,” said Jonathan Carrier, SQLC Vice President of Development. “The overwhelming response from seniors is an indication of the strength and depth of the market, and the continued need for this type of community we’re building. This expansion project is a reflection of The Buckingham’s foothold as the preeminent provider of senior retirement living in the Houston area.”
The Buckingham acquired six additional acres to accommodate the project and will build 106 independent living apartment homes, 27 assisted living suites, 18 memory care residences, 32 private skilled nursing rooms, additional underground parking and more surface level spaces. The projected opening of the first phase of the independent living residences will be sometime during the first half of 2017. The independent living tower, which will be comprised of 106 new apartment homes offered in one, two and three bedroom floor plans, as well as layouts including patio homes, is expected to wrap-up the final stages of completion by the end of 2017.
“The expansion project includes innovative design to address new demands of today’s seniors, including open concept floor plans featuring floor to ceiling windows to meet the current market trends, while complimenting The Buckingham’s original design,” said Carrier. “The design plans are intended to encourage future residents to embrace the Masterpiece Living® program – a philosophy which encourages learning at any age, while focusing on an individual’s key development areas – physical, mental, social and spiritual.”
As the nation is on the cusp of a significant increase in its senior population, developers involved in the expansion construction at The Buckingham in Houston – the fourth largest city in the nation –designed the project with baby boomers in mind. They are currently helping their parents decide between senior living communities, and many of them are looking at options for themselves.
“We are all very excited to welcome these future residents to our community,” said Julie Fenske, executive director of The Buckingham. “The response from the seniors and their families in Houston has been amazing, and I am pleased that this expansion will allow us to offer the exceptional services and resort-style living to more area seniors.”
