West Coast senior living developer expands Florida presence w/Winter Springs project

A Washington state-based senior living developer will begin work soon on an independent living community in Winter Springs' Town Center, the firm's seventh retirement community in Florida.

Hawthorn Retirement Group should start work within the next few months on the four-story, 145-suite senior independent living facility, said Brian Fields, Winter Springs community development director.

The company has completed its planning and site plan reviews and has submitted a building permit, Fields added. He estimated construction will take about 18 months, putting the opening on pace for early 2020.

"We've worked with them very closely through the design and architecture for something we feel is a good fit for our town center," Fields told GrowthSpotter. "We expect a high-quality product."

Officials with Hawthorn did not respond to requests this past week for comment.

The retirement community will be located on 6.4 acres on the west side of East S.R. 434, near the intersection with Michael Blake Boulevard. The building's footprint will cover 40,000 square feet, with conditioned living space totaling 130,000 square feet. The 145 suites will vary in size from 350 to 1,000 square feet.

Residents will receive an array of services for one monthly rental payment, including three meals prepared daily, housekeeping, laundering, private bus transportation and activities. Amenities will include screened patios, a swimming pool, gas fire pit and bocce court.

Hawthorn bought the property through an affiliate for $1.525 million, according to a deed signed March 29 and recorded April 2 in Seminole County.

The seller was Orlando-based real estate investment firm Schrimsher Properties. Schrimsher bought the land in February 2017 for $277,000 from Standard Pacific of Florida, according to county records.

Hawthorn has existing or planned senior living facilities in Bradenton, Clermont, Tallahassee, Spring Hill and two in Oxford near The Villages.

The company handles its own general contracting. Architect on the Winter Springs project is Oregon-based Lenity Architecture.

Fields said high demand is growing for retirement living in Winter Springs.

Assisted living facility The Watermark at Vistawilla will likely open this summer near the corner of S.R. 434 and Vistawilla Drive. Fields said the city has had inquiries from other developers looking for possible sites for senior living.

"The demand is there," he said. "I don't know if that demand is generated from existing residents who are seeking to move, or if that demand is from out of the city, the county or even out of the state. My guess is it's a mixture."

Winter Springs' Town Center is a mixed-use development area centered around S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road. The concept for the district came about in the late 1990 and early 2000s.

The city's plans for developing the Town Center slowed during the Great Recession, but the residential component has picked up in recent years, Fields said.

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