As the Central Florida population growth continues to boom, so does the need for senior housing, inspiring Orlando, Fla.-based developer, owner, and operator of senior living communities Sonata Senior Living to begin construction of Sonata West. The luxury independent living and assisted living community will be located in the Orlando suburb of Winter Garden and will be Sonata’s fifth community.
The $30 million project features 78 independent living units and 35 assisted living units in a 139,000-square-foot, two-story building.
The property will be located adjacent to Serenades by Sonata, a purpose-built memory care assisted living community completed in 2013, also developed, owned, and operated by Sonata. Upon completion, the campus will include a total of 169 units of senior living serving memory care, assisted living, and independent living, with an adjacent medical office building where seniors will have access to a comprehensive continuum of care.
The guiding principles behind the community’s design and programming were to create a flexible space with a comfortable mid-century feel, while integrating all the comforts and conveniences of a hospitality model focused on engagement and lifestyles.
Sonata West’s design incorporates every inch of the site to maximize the residents’ connection with the outdoors and enhance wellness and lifestyle programming. For example, a paved fit trail surrounding a quarter-mile retention pond will include resting areas, outdoor fitness equipment with strategically placed nature markers, and informational signs denoting indigenous plants and animals. A dog park, picnic pavilion, and bocce ball court are also included in this outdoor area.
Two interior 8,000-square-foot amenity courtyards are focal points to both assisted living and independent living. An independent living “water garden” courtyard includes an accessible pool, relaxing fountains, covered porches, and areas for socialization. The “firefly garden” assisted living courtyard incorporates lush landscaping with outdoor eating spaces, fire pits, conversation areas, play areas, and gardening venues where residents can relax, read, or socialize with friends and family.
The community is partnering with local merchants and farmers to offer a farm-to-table menu in multiple dining venues and a general store run by resident volunteers.
Multiple lounge areas for socialization, a bar and bistro, full-service salon, business center, library, arts and crafts room, garden solarium, movie theater/auditorium, and card and billiards room are also on-site. Similar assisted living common areas are also within limited distances for ambulation and more intimately designed with a family room and neighborhood-style kitchen, encouraging resident engagement while allowing additional staff oversight.
Apartments vary in size from 429 square feet to 1,240 square feet, with a majority of assisted living and independent living apartments over 635 square feet. Every apartment, including assisted living, includes a built-in washer and dryer, upgraded surfaces, pocket doors, and walk-in closets.
The community is scheduled for completion in early 2017.