DENVER — Co-developers Confluent Senior Living and MorningStar Senior Living have announced the groundbreaking of the partnership’s latest urban infill community located in Denver’s historic Observatory Park neighborhood.
Planned for completion by summer 2022, MorningStar at Observatory Park represents one of the partnership’s newest senior living communities designed to establish a unique “Whole Health Standard” in the industry, offering 81 licensed units for assisted living and memory care that will incorporate the latest in healthy building technologies while enhancing resident comfort and quality of life.
MorningStar at Observatory Park will be located at 2100 South Josephine Street and will mark the development partners’ 13th joint venture across five states. The Observatory Park property is in the heart of one of Denver’s most central, tight-knit and vibrant neighborhoods where residents will benefit from convenient access to local parks, golf courses, the University of Denver, shopping and dining, medical centers, I-25, Washington Park, Platt Park, Cherry Hills, Cherry Creek and more.
“We celebrate this milestone and express our gratitude to all parties involved—from the previous landowners to our banking and investment partners to our design and construction teams – all of whom have worked alongside us with unwavering support in times of uncertainty to keep this project active and thriving,” said Marshall Burton, president and CEO of Confluent Development. “Across the industry, many senior living projects ground to a halt last year as credit tightened and investors expressed concern about viability. This groundbreaking is a testament to the quality of the community, but also to our collective team’s strong, proven track record, commitment to collaboration and mutual trust.”
While already recognized for delivering industry-leading senior communities with a service-oriented approach, in response to the impact of the pandemic, Confluent and MorningStar established a “Whole Health Standard” for the Observatory Park property, representing a comprehensive, holistic design that incorporates the latest protections for residents’ physical health while advancing features essential to mental health. To complement social and vocational wellness programming, and in defense against disease, Confluent and MorningStar have evaluated a suite of cutting-edge technologies that enhance wellness and safety while emphasizing hospitality and comfort. From sanitation stations and touchless faucets and light switches in common spaces, to needlepoint bipolar ionization through HVAC systems and electrostatic sprayers that disperse positively charged particles to neutralize infectious diseases, the partners are enlisting resources that prioritize resident wellness through proactive, precautionary, innovative design.
Other features of the property that adhere to the partnership’s “Whole Health Standard” include: Far-UVC Light Field to reduce the spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases through ultraviolet rays; a kiosk system for seamless and distanced sign-in and health screening; anti-microbial countertop surfaces; and tele-training on infection control and mobile alert systems. MorningStar also partners with experienced laboratories to provide rapid, accurate test results.
“Breaking ground on our Observatory Park community in Denver represents a significant threshold in the evolution of our portfolio with Confluent. Even in the most challenging of times, our partnership has remained steadfast. Infusing new technologies and designs into this community sets a modern standard for the industry as a whole,” said Matt Turner, managing partner at MorningStar Senior Living. “As senior advocates our highest priority is to encourage and enhance the wellness of residents. Researching and implementing next-level technologies enable us to exceed expectations, protect the health and safety of seniors and heroic frontline workers, and provide a welcoming community environment that optimizes every dimension of a resident’s experience.”
Located in close proximity to Denver’s metropolitan core, the five-story building will offer 58 assisted living and 23 memory care suites as well as 47 underground parking spaces. The property will feature an elevated courtyard, outdoor dining area, spa, wellness center and rooftop terrace with striking city and mountain views. As their health dictates, assisted living residents will be offered personalized support with the activities of daily living through 24-hour staffing and full-time licensed nurses.
“Observatory Park is an iconic neighborhood, well-known and trusted. This project offers an incomparable opportunity for local residents who wish to age in place or draw closer to family, to remain tied to the fabric of their community,” said John Reinsma, managing director at Confluent Senior Living. “Our new ‘Whole Health Standard’ serves as the basis of design for MorningStar at Observatory Park to protect residents and communities from annual or generational health challenges. Thanks to a shared vision with MorningStar, this unique project is becoming a reality.”
Confluent Senior Living, a subsidiary of Denver-based Confluent Development, serves as the project owner and Denver-based MorningStar Senior Living as the operator. Firms involved in the project include Hord Coplan Macht as the architect, Shaw Construction as the general contractor, and Thoma-Holec Design as the interior designer.
About Confluent Senior Living
Confluent Senior Living is a national developer and investor of senior projects. Confluent Senior Living partners with a variety of industry-renowned senior living operators across the U.S. An expert in developing, buying and selling senior living communities, Confluent Senior Living has a national senior housing portfolio of award-winning communities. Confluent Senior Living is a subsidiary of Confluent Development, a Denver-based, full-service real estate investment and development firm that owns and develops ground-up commercial real estate throughout the United States. For more information, visit ConfluentSeniorLiving.com.
About MorningStar Senior Living
An integrated developer, owner and operator of premier retirement communities, MorningStar’s portfolio encompasses over 40 properties under operation or development representing over 4,000 units in ten states across the western United States. Offering independent living, assisted living and memory care, MorningStar is privileged to elevate life for those who taught the rest of us how to live. For more information, visit MorningStarSeniorLiving.com.
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