Margaret Suit, Vice President of Architecture, Design & Development, Erickson Senior Living (Baltimore)
In her 31-year tenure at Erickson Senior Living, one of the largest providers of senior housing in the U.S., Margaret Suit has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s footprint and communities.
She’s contributed to the design and development of 25 campuses nationwide, which house more than 44,000 residents, and manages the design processes for all developing Erickson communities.
Throughout her work, Suit’s guiding principle has been to create spaces that foster the well-being of residents. Recently, she’s directed her focus on envisioning a more urban model of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that takes inspiration from modern mixed-use developments.
This effort has guided the creation of several of Erickson’s largest communities. For example, The Grandview in Bethesda, Md., expected to open in fall 2025, will feature thoughtfully designed amenities and appealing common areas designed to promote socialization, a sense of belonging, engagement, and active lifestyles.
The CCRC will include 1,400 residential and continuing care units on a 33-acre site. Inspired by its urban location, the mixed-use development represents a departure from more traditional design styles prevalent in suburban and rural senior communities, such as on-site and walkable amenities including full-service restaurants, retail, fitness centers, a public park, pool, and rooftop restaurant and wine bar.
Looking for opportunities to continually evolve the organization, Suit serves as a leader on the Erickson Real Estate and Development Team, where she supports studies of current industry conditions and trends to explore innovation within the Erickson’s portfolio.
She’s also active as a speaker and mentor at the company and across the industry at conferences, helping bring her insights and innovations to the industry at large.
To read more about EFA‘s 2024 Design Champion awards, go here.
