Newbridge Retirement Community
Newbridge Retirement Community, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., had been a dream for its owner for a few years before it became a reality due to a need in the area.
The 74,581-square-foot community includes 83 assisted living and memory care units.
A series of programming exercises, such as a visual preference survey and 3-D bubble diagrams, were done to determine design goals. The resulting “modern farmhouse” design by architecture firm Vessel Architecture (St. Louis, Mo.) and interior designer Rust & Martin (Cape Girardeau, Mo.), includes a neutral color scheme, board and batten siding, and faux balconies.
Special consideration was given to preserving the views as much as possible, including a nearby orchard and a dramatic cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River, by incorporating large windows facing in that northwest direction.
This project was responsive to its context by addressing its most prominent challenge: designing the building around the significant grade of the site. A large horseshoe-shaped retaining wall sets the front apart at the lowest level. To continue to get light into the memory care level, the back-of-house functional spaces are located against the grade. The rest of the building steps up from there into the hill. The two-and-a-half-story entry tower is a significant design feature, meant to evoke a welcoming experience by creating a grand entrance.
Opening in April 2023, the community features a variety of amenities and common spaces including an activity and art room; two courtyards, one for assisted living and the other for memory care; multiple dining areas; a theater; salon; and a fitness center.
The client’s most requested amenity to include was an Irish Pub, featuring a deck, that serves as the social hub for the community, bringing life to the entrance right when you walk in.
A café near the community entrance with an “open-air” feature and can also be used as an activity space.
Project details for Newbridge Retirement Community:
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Expected completion date: April 30, 2023
Owner: Newbridge Retirement Community
Total building area: 74,581 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: $14.6 million
Cost/sq. ft.: Approx. $195
Architecture firm: Vessel Architecture
Interior design: Rust & Martin
General contractor: IMPACT Strategies
Engineering: SSC Engineering (structural and MEP), Bowen Engineering & Surveying (civil)
Builder: IMPACT Strategies
