Hey everyone -
I have scavenged this site and found very limited information on active adult, specifically 55+ communities.
I was recently assigned to take the lead as Development Manager on an active adult community (currently in design phase) and this is one of the few niches that I have limited to no experience with (it doesn’t help that I’m not the target demographic).
The only discussion I’ve found (which is very helpful) was this one: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/active-adu…
For this particular project, we are aiming for 55+ active adult with no medical services whatsoever. Our market study is showing surrounding demand demographics in the primarily 60 to 65 age range. It is located in a suburban setting about 45 mins from a major city in California.
From previous research it feels like the I understand the bigger distinctions of the space - projects usually offer light daily breakfast, higher rent premiums to restrict younger residents, slower lease up time given prospect transitions out of single family homes and the importance and intensive operations of this space.
Those of you who invest or develop these projects, what are some design nuances to be aware of? Where can I find additional resources? Who are the major players? Any help would be much appreciated.
Biggest issue I have heard of is closet/storage space being inadequate. These are properties that you are going to want to hash out floor plans and then the overall building not vice versa. Units need to be larger too. Couples that have been married 20+ years arent looking cozy up 24/7.
Appreciate the feedback, our consultant team had shared with us that pretty much every element of unit design is bigger - whether it be the spacing between the island and kitchen, bedrooms, etc. but the design progression from units to building is helpful - any other unit oriented design tips?
I have experience in active adult for-sale (looks like you are looking at rental units?). For-sale units generally don't have any special services (like meals or medical help). The 55+ designation is generally in-place in communities that are struggling with overcrowding of schools, so it's a way of building residential housing and accruing tax revenue without adding a burden onto the school system.
My parents live in a 55+ TH community and there are zero services. None. There's a bocce ball area, a pickle ball court, walking paths, and benches. The yards are really small.
Got it, yeah I did my best to cover all the specifics but this is a for rent project. We figured at most we would handle daily breakfast as an amenity to residents but likely would elect to bring in some outside vendors to handle that on an ongoing basis.
Any recommended or notable features you would include in common areas or units for a rent or even for sale product?
Grocery shuttle would be helpful. Social events organizing (could be resident-led). Party/club room. Definitely a pool (it's Cali, so I assume every building would have a pool). On-site fitness classes. Walking trails, dog park, bench seating, dog waste receptacles. Of course, in-unit you'll have grab bars, wider doorways (to accommodate wheelchairs). I'd minimize the presence of stairs around campus. For new residents, a Geek Squad-type service to help residents get their cable/internet/tv/speakers, etc. hooked-up.
It's active adult, so don't treat people like they're decrepit. When you open in 2020 the younger residents were 35 in 2000. They aren't ancient. Don't give ridiculous street names poking fun of the elderly (my parents live on one of those streets, and it's kind of insulting). At my parents' place, the residents don't even seem that old. A lot of people in their 50s and 60s still look reasonably good and are in good health and are perfectly normal people with fully functioning brains--most still have active careers. This isn't a nursing facility. Don't treat it like it is.
Really good advice and appreciate the detailed feedback - this is exactly what I was looking for (+1 SB’d).
We have covered/planned for almost all the amenities you covered here including pool, fitness area, commercial kitchen and outdoor patio, party/club room. We are also leaning towards including a sauna, theater and wine room.
Great advice on the grocery shuttle - have you heard of Hello Alfred? Just stumbled upon it but seems like a third party service that covers all this and more. Passed it along to my analyst so waiting to hear more about their pricing structure and services and will update once I know more.
Also all great points on the mentality approaching it and the context on their relative age. There is definitely the tendency to think of the residents as super old when in reality most mid 50’s to 60’s are still a ways from retiring and living a pretty active lifestyle.
I work on an IS team that only does seniors housing across the nation, including active adult.
I'd need some additional info in terms of what your plans are to give you more specific advice but if you're building detached single-family type residences then the community will function in-line with how a gated community is and will typically only offer a clubhouse, a pool/jacuzzi, tennis courts, gym, barbecues, etc. A lot of communities also offer gardening spaces and dog parks. No need to add dietary services if detached, people won't make the trek to a central dining space to eat a meal.
If you're building a more condensed multifamily-type property then you could add a dietary element and an activities element to further incentivize move-ins since adults at that age will not be keen on leaving their single-family residence for a multifamily complex.
There aren't really big players in the AA market. Things are still very mom & pop or regional. There's been a lot of renewed interest from institutions though who are looking at seniors housing but don't want to deal with the operational intensiveness of an AL/MC building.
CBRE published a pretty good research article on the AA space just recently. Our team also does a bit of consulting work and we have access to a lot of information so PM me if you're interested in that or if you have any more specific questions.
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