When a panel of residents were asked if they’d change anything design-wise about Walnut Village, a CCRC in a residential area of Anaheim, Calif., they were hard pressed to come up with anything–except that they could use more space in their Red Chair Lounge, where they gather for nightly happy hours.
And that expansion is in the works.
I was able to check out Walnut Village as one of the community tours offered here in Anaheim for the 2014 Environments for Aging (EFA) Conference. On hand for the tour was Mark Seres, president and creative director for CastleRock Design Group (Newport Beach, Calif.), who led my group through the site before we all gathered back in the community’s learning space for a Q&A with the resident panel.
Just a short drive from conference site the Disneyland Hotel, the village square-inspired location opened in 2009 and houses 157 apartments, 11 cottages, and 14 memory care studios. The independent living residences can flex to assisted living thanks to on-staff caregivers available for services that can be added as needed without requiring a move.
The residences wrap around a central courtyard with plenty of shops and activity spaces lining the perimeter, from a putting green to indoor pool to artists’ studio to a salon. The marketing vision for the community focused on independence, community, and the ability to pursue lifelong pursuits such as wellness, continuing education, or the arts.
And in a nod to its Southern California location, the aesthetic of the buildings is anchored by an eclectic vibe achieved through the use of loads of original works for art, some commissioned for the community and others created by the residents themselves.
It was a pleasure to see what a community like this can achieve, so please check out the photo roundup I’m posting here in this blog. Many thanks to the Walnut Village staff and residents on hand today, as well as the folks at CastleRock for a great tour.
