Adaptive reuse is helping redefine the senior living landscape, blending history, functionality, and innovation to meet the evolving needs of older adults.
From transforming a historic middle school into an LGBTQ-supportive senior living community at The Pryde in Hyde Park, Mass., to restoring a historic mill building into the Residences at Mill 8 in Ludlow, Mass., and redeveloping the former Marriott International headquarters into The Grandview continuing care retirement community in Bethesda, Md., these projects showcase the creative potential of adaptive reuse.
As more project teams consider repurposing existing structures to create vibrant, sustainable, and thoughtfully designed senior living spaces, Environments for Aging presents three recent projects.
(Image credit: Robert Benson Photography)
The Pryde, Hyde Park, Massachusetts
The 106,000-square-foot project transforms the former William Barton Rogers Middle School into an affordable, LGBTQ-supportive senior living community. In addition to extensive renovations to the historic building, the project constructed two new exterior elevator bays and a covered sunroom. The 74 residential units are laid out in the former classroom spaces on each floor, while the former school cafeteria was subdivided into eight residential units. Amenities and communal spaces include an auditorium, fitness and wellness spaces, and community center, which houses an art room, learning center, and multipurpose space. Read here.
Architecture and interior design firm: DiMella Shaffer
(Image credit: Photography courtesy Winn Companies)
Residences at Mill 8, Ludlow, Massachusetts
WinnDevelopment (Boston) converted an historic mill building into a 221,300-square-foot mixed-income senior living community. The 95-unit project features a loft-like design with restored brickwork, tall ceilings, and large replica windows. Modern amenities in the residential units include white shaker cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. The community also restored the building’s iconic 123-year-old clock tower as part of the adaptive reuse. Read here.
Architecture and interior design firm: The Architectural Team
(Image credit: Hord Coplan Macht)
The Grandview, Bethesda, Maryland
Looking to address the need for more urban living, Erickson Senior Living (Baltimore) found an opportunity to redevelop the 33-acre site of the former Marriott International headquarters into a new continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Slated to open in late 2025, the CCRC includes two 13-story independent living buildings, a parking garage, outdoor activity areas, civic green park, and walking and biking trails. High-rise communities in urban areas such as this one offer proximity to amenities, healthcare, and transit, which foster independence and an intergenerational experience. Read here.
Architecture firm: Hord Coplan Macht
For more senior living projects, go here.
