Booming trends in senior housing: to meet the emerging needs of the Baby Boomers, developers must recognize the new profile of seniors and trends in architectural, lifestyle and community enhancements.

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The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that, by 2010, 100 million people in the United States will be 50 years or older, totaling nearly one-third of the country's population. As these seniors and retiring Baby Boomers prepare for the next phase of their lives, many will consider transitioning from single-family homes to apartment senior housing. During this transition, it is critical that the real estate development industry be prepared to meet the needs of this demographic.

A trend in today's senior housing market is a shift away from the traditional assisted-living format toward independent living facilities. Whereas the older model consisted of an institutional and more sterile environment, independent living facilities offer seniors the mobility, amenities and freedom to maintain rich and active lifestyles.

Additionally, many seniors seek independent living facilities within their own communities, where they can stay close to family, friends and familiar surroundings. They are attracted to the convenience of maintaining their current lifestyles--use of a neighborhood grocery store, preferred pharmacy, favorite restaurants and community involvement--while transitioning to senior housing.

That, coupled with the carefree lifestyle, attractive scenery and rich amenities that seniors expect, has resulted in an expansion of retirement communities beyond Florida and California into other states, such as Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, which cater to the new generation of retirees.

National real estate development company The Opus Group recognizes the new profile of seniors and is incorporating emerging trends in architectural design, lifestyle amenities and community enhancements.

LIVING LARGE

In the 1950s, the average size of a new single-family home was 983 square feet. By 2006, that number had more than doubled, reaching a record 2,469 square feet. Today, 39 percent of new homes have four or more bedrooms, almost double the rate of 20 years ago, and 26 percent of new homes have three or more bathrooms, nearly tripling the rate in 1986. Whether it's a McMansion in an affluent neighborhood or a large, less expensive home in the country, Americans continue to seek bigger living spaces. It's no surprise, then, that architecture trends in senior housing are following suit.

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Throughout the 1980s, most independent senior living communities featured studio apartments with three-quarter kitchens. Into the late 1990s, most units contained one bedroom with a full kitchen. Today, as seniors face the stress associated with downsizing, many are looking to two-bedroom units with full-size kitchens, additional half-bathrooms, dens and formal dining rooms. These units are built to accommodate a favorite dining-morn set or additional furniture by offering more space and flexibility.

An example is Opus' Toscana at Northern, currently under development in Phoenix. With an increased average apartment size of 892 square feet, approximately 40 percent of the community's 190 apartments feature two bedrooms.

The remaining one-bedroom apartments offer greater square footage when compared with those from previous decades. Similarly, nearly 50 percent of the 205-apartment Villa Hermosa, currently under development in Tucson, Ariz., are two-bedroom apartments.

AN AMENITY-RICH LIFESTYLE

Seniors of the 21st century are leading longer, more active and independent lives, and with the first wave of Baby Boomers entering retirement, the expectations for high-quality, amenity-rich independent living facilities are on the rise.

To be successful, senior housing projects must feature enhanced amenity packages and offer resort-style living.

McDowell Village in Scottsdale, Ariz., offers a library, movie theater, lounge and billiard room, beauty salon and barber shop, chapel, heated swimming pool and hot tub, bistro, formal dining room and activities rooms.

Toscana at Northern features a full-service day spa and wellness center, concierge, beauty salon, workout room, theater, restaurant, bistro/cafe pool, spa, chapel, arts and crafts rooms, library, pub/lounge and outdoor program space. Many senior housing communities also offer high-end slab granite countertop finishes; high-quality vinyl flooring; and high-grade, full-size appliances to meet the demand for upscale housing.

Independent living communities also incorporate a broad range of technology amenities to meet the expectations of this increasingly tech-savvy generation.

These features include building-wide wireless Internet access, computer labs staffed with software designed to challenge and stimulate residents' minds and Internet cafes and bistros where they can take their laptops and socialize with others while surfing the Web.

Seniors are attracted to the abundance of services independent living communities include in rental packages. Rents at McDowell Village, for example, range from $2,400 to $4,800 per month, and include most utilities, housekeeping service, two meals per day and transportation for doctors' visits and other errands.

COMMUNITY APPEAL

There is no doubt that bold outdoor architecture enhances any development. From large walkways and beautifully landscaped terraces to built-in pools and gazebos, senior-living communities require an outdoor landscape that is functional and that complements the natural environment.

This generation of active seniors is attracted to ample outdoor space that provides walking paths, dining space, gardens and common areas for socializing and programming.

There will always be a need for facilities that offer 24-hour care for seniors, but new trends in senior housing go well beyond that to offer resort-style, residential apartment communities that attract adults now, and well into their golden years.

Building For The Boomers

THE SITUATION: As members of the aging Baby Boomer generation prepare for the next phase of their lives and retirement living, community owners and managers need to be aware of what this demographic wants in apartment living.

THE BACKGROUND: Independent senior living communities used to feature standard studio apartments with three-quarter kitchens. Into the late 1990s, the trend toward increased living space began with the advent of one-bedroom apartments with full kitchens.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Today's seniors seek independent living within their own communities where they are close to family, friends and familiar surroundings while enjoying mobility, amenities and the freedom to maintain rich and active lifestyles.

John Boyd is Senior Director of Real Estate Development for The Opus Group's Phoenix office. He can be reached at 602/468-7000.