Retirement community expansion planned
Daily Camera
August 28, 2000
LOUISVILLE — If the two places people never want to go are jail and nursing homes, Michael Schonbrun thinks he’s building part of the solution.
Schonbrun, the president of Balfour Retirement Community, submitted plans on Thursday with the Louisville planning department for an expansion of the complex that he likens to the Ritz Carlton.
If the plans are accepted by the City Council, the 150,000-square-foot addition will feature an indoor swimming pool and spa, underground parking, a wellness center, a business center and library, abeauty salon and a theater. The $15 million project will have 103 rental apartments, including eight cottages. It will be built across the street from Balfour’s existing campus, built in 1998 at 1855 Plaza Drive, near the intersection of South Boulder Road and Colo. 42. The plans could be approved as early as next spring, said City Planner Manjeet Ranu. If approved on schedule, the addition could open its doors by early 2002. The idea is to build eastern Boulder County’s first complete continuum of senior care services, including independent and assisted living, skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s care. That way, couples with different individual levels of health can live together. “This is really like one-stop shopping,” Schonbrun said. He said he expects the average age of tenants to be about 83 years old, with about half coming from out of state. Mayor Tom Davidson said the need for the center was evidence of an aging baby boomer population. “Certainly we’re all getting older,” Davidson said. “There’s going to be more and more of a need for that kind of facility.” Apartments will cost between $2,000 and more than $3,000 per month, including some meals, full activities and some transportation. The center will be Boulder County’s first rental-only continuing care retirement community, meaning residents and their families will not have to make a substantial non-refundable investment, Balfour said. Boulder-based architects Downing, Thorpe and James based the building design on a Colorado mountain lodge, with exposed wood beams and stone veneer. More than 100 families have already expressed interest in the accommodations, said Denise Thornton, Balfour marketing director. Even though occupancy is at least 18 months away, Balfour is now accepting deposits for specific apartments. Schonbrun said he was optimistic that his project would be approved by the City Council. “The city has been happy with the first project,” he said.