SAN DIEGO, CA - Wesley Palms, a full-service retirement community located in Pacific Beach overlooking San Diego's Mission Bay, was this week named Gold Award winner by the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 50+ Housing Council for the innovative design of its recently remodeled lobby.
"The remodeled space comes alive to reflect the color and vibrancy of the community," said Ben Geske, Wesley Palms' executive director. "We added new and flexible opportunities for residents to gather and bring a new light and energy that is reflective of the beauty of Wesley Palms."
The NAHB's 2012 Best of 50+ Housing Awards honor excellence and innovation in the design, development and marketing of housing for older consumers. The awards program, returning after a year's hiatus, was held during the International Builders' Show in Florida and showcases the latest trends in housing for the mature market.
"This year's winners often had to do more with less," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a multifamily and 50+ builder from Reno, Nev. "While developers and builders may have had to scale back the size of some communities, for these winners the focus was always on quality communities that offer 50+ residents a great lifestyle."
There were 36 Gold award winners, 40 Silver award winners and seven entries honored with awards for innovation. Wesley Palms won top honors in the "Best Remodeled Project" category.
Designed by CastleRock Design Group of Newport Beach, Calif., the goal of the lobby remodel was to create a strong and cohesive sense of place in the community's main building. Using a contemporary version of a mid-century style, a series of gathering spaces in one large open space were created as well as a transitional space to adjacent common areas such as a large auditorium and art gallery.
A food and beverage bar, conversation areas, flexible entertainment spaces and a new resident convenience store called the Palm Tree were added. Included in the plan were design changes developed to allow more light into the space as well as the addition of efficient lighting. Fun and functional furniture and finishes added some excitement to the space which can be used for informal gatherings, parties or musical performances.
"At any hour of the day you will see residents convene for conversation, shopping, pre-dinner mixers or art gallery viewing," Geske said. "The inviting style with natural elements such as grass cloth walls, unique and artistic representation of native flowers and birds rendered in wall and furniture patterns reflect the beauty of our 35-acre campus outside the doors of our lobby."
Built in 1962 on Mt. Soledad in Pacific Beach, Wesley Palms celebrates its 50-year anniversary this year. Wesley Palms is part of Front Porch, one of Southern California's largest not-for-profit providers of senior housing. For more information about Wesley Palms, visit www.wesleypalms.org
About Front Porch Wesley Palms is part of Front Porch, one of the largest not-for-profit providers of retirement living communities in Southern California. Front Porch active adult and full-service retirement communities offer a full range of options from independent living to continuing care, along with specialized programs like memory support. With innovative communities and programs that meet the changing needs of people as they age, Front Porch communities represent a leading-edge approach to wellness in aging. Front Porch is comprised of 11 full-service retirement communities in California and two adult living communities: one in Louisiana and one in Florida. Of these, six are Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC). Front Porch, based in Burbank, Calif. and founded in 1999, is a not-for-profit organization that gives back to its residents and the communities it serves.