Pathway to Living, the Chicago-based seniors housing developer/owner division of Waterton, has opened Aspired Living of La Grange. The 117-unit, 118,583-square-square-foot senior living community is located at 35 Shawmut Avenue in La Grange, Illinois.
“Aspired Living of La Grange is optimally located for adult children and family members in Chicago to easily visit their relatives,” said Maria Oliva, chief operating officer at Pathway to Living. “This is our 23rd community in the Chicagoland area and, as is the case in all of our communities, the combination of contemporary residences, ample common areas and award-winning VIVA! programming really gives our residents tremendous opportunity to live their best lives and stay engaged.”
By planning to welcome residents during the COVID-19 crisis, Pathway to Living was in a unique position of being able to understand and implement the protocols necessary not only to address the current pandemic, but also to prepare for any future situations that may arise. The company has implemented protocols that encourage safe socialization for residents while keeping support staff safe on the job. The company-wide “Care to Clean, Cover and Distance” campaign serves as a reminder for team members of the company’s focus on staying healthy at home, in public, and at work and illustrates their high standards of protecting residents and staff alike.
“We looked closely at layouts and scheduling for dining and programming spaces as well as how movement and access needed to be modified,” said Oliva. “Aspired Living of La Grange is opening with forward-thinking protocols already in place to keep residents and team members protected and engaged while providing residents’ families peace of mind.”
“Our team of specially trained wellness professionals is passionate about building unique relationships with every resident, guiding them to set new goals and forge new relationships within the community,” said Kim White, executive director at Aspired Living of La Grange. “We look forward to working closely with residents to personalize every experience as they enjoy life at their own pace.”
The property includes 85 assisted living and 32 memory support units, all of which feature emergency response pendants, cable access, walk-in showers and safety grab bars. The assisted living apartments include private one- and two-bedroom units, as well as a smaller percentage of private studios. The apartments include kitchenettes with stainless-steel appliances, large closets, individually controlled heating and air-conditioning units and in-unit washer and dryer combos. The private memory support studios feature private bathrooms, bedroom areas with a direct view to the bathroom and built-in, lockable and unlockable closets, as well as safety and lifestyle features that cater to the needs of memory support residents.
A variety of wellness spaces at the community provide on-site access to physical, occupational and speech therapy, a physician office and medical exam room and wellness consultation and care coordination. Amenities have been carefully curated to meet the needs of the individual residents including a fitness center, library, movie theater, salon and spa and a demonstration kitchen. Elegant yet home-like hospitality spaces include dedicated living room areas, a variety of dining options and activity rooms that have been thoughtfully tailored to suit the individual needs of both assisted living and memory support residents. Outdoor walking paths and gardens round out the lifestyle options at Aspired Living of La Grange.
The five-story property is just a few minutes from downtown La Grange and the La Grange/Hillside Metra stop for convenient transportation to and from Chicago. The bustling suburban setting features wide sidewalks lined with specialty boutiques, restaurants and retail options, including Trader Joe’s which is less than half a mile from the community. The property sits at the western edge of Gordon Park and is proximate to recreational spaces such as Salt Creek Woods, La Grange Park Woods and the Brookfield Zoo.
Award-winning senior housing interior design firm Thoma Holec Design provided interior design services; design-architect Behles + Behles provided architectural services. The Opus Group was the design-builder, architect and structural engineer of record for the project.
“As the greater Chicago area population continues to age, we are excited to deliver a community that will provide space for a continuum of care to help meet their needs,” said Jim Caesar, regional vice president at Opus. “We’re grateful to partner with Pathway to Living and to help enhance the surrounding community of La Grange.”
