When retirement community developers Steve Elken and Michael Opatowski took a look last year at 1980s-era Cherry Oaks, a retirement community on Leetsdale Drive, they saw a perfect Southeast location surrounded by aging neighborhoods of single-family homes. What they DIDN’T see were two factors they knew a successful community should offer these days: affordable prices, and a ‘continuum’ of retirement-care services.
Sunday, April 18, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., you can come see how the pair has reworked Cherry Oaks into new Springbrooke Retirement & Assisted Living Community…a $2.5 million makeover that’s created bright, affordably priced one- and 2-bedroom independent living units (from $1,295 per month)…totally remodeled assisted-living area…and a new memory care unit, still affordable, from $3,195 a month.
Jazz songstress Hazel Miller performs in Springbrooke’s new lounge area; while Connie Cruise and her team sign you for drawings for Elway’s and other restaurant gift cards. You can meet residents…ask them how they like their new apartments and what they think of the owners (Elken and Opatowski spend an inordinate amount of time on-site, enough that most people seem to be on a first-name basis with them).
“Residents really appreciate our staff,” adds Cruise, who says new arrivals are typically couples who’ve focused on making their own decisions on retirement, rather than getting their kids involved. “The transition is usually much smoother than they anticipate.”
Elken, who has considerable experience in retirement rentals, says the new memory-care unit (sized at just 15 studio and 1-bedroom units) is a key in appealing to the aging market. “People want to know they can stay in the same place if a spouse develops a serious memory issue,” he said, showing off the village-like character of the unit, with fireplace, lounge, ice cream parlor and indoor-outdoor walking areas. “Once a memory condition sets in,” Opatowski adds, “a continuous, homelike setting has been shown to suppress the disease process.” Actually, the “continuity factor,” he notes, adds to the average lifespan of the entire community.
All of that starts with the independent apartments (60% have mountain views from big balconies), available with restaurant dining included, or as an “unbundled” option. “People have moved here from other communities to get the unbundled package,” Elken notes. You’ll also see the pond/barbecue; lounge fireplaces; theater; and a grand piano where residents regularly perform. Springbrooke is at 6800 Leetsdale, two blocks east of Monaco, open 1:30-4:30 p.m. tomorrow.
If you go…
WHERE:
Springbrooke, a Denver Retirement & Assisted Living Community; grand opening April 18, singer Hazel Miller performs; drawing for Elway’s card, other restaurants; refreshments. 6800 Leetsdale, Denver; take Leetsdale east past Monaco or west from Quebec to Niagara/Oneida Sts
PRICE:
From $1295/mo.; assisted living from $2995/mo.; memory care from $3195/mo.
WHEN:
Sunday, April 18, tours 1:30-4:30 p.m. entertainment 2-4
PHONE:
303-331-9963
WEB:
