These NYC Senior Residences Come Luxury Condo Amenities

As the population ages, new senior residences are taking cues from luxury condos, while incorporating design elements that touch on the range of needs of older New Yorkers looking to age in place.

At Inspīr in Carnegie Hill, which offers assisted living, memory care and enhanced care, the ground floor has been designed as part of the living space, rather than used for commercial purposes, which is unique for new developments, and common spaces were built into each floor, allowing residents to get out of their apartments, even if they have limited mobility.

Amenities also include a SkyPark with an indoor heated pool, fitness center, salon, pub and bistro, theater and library.

The apartments have smart technology and floors with smooth transitions into rooms to take into account residents who use walkers and canes, and bathrooms with drain system designed to prevent water on the floor to minimize fall risk.

The typical resident at Inspīr is in their early 80s, says Gregory Smith, president and chief executive officer of Inspīr.

“This was purpose-driven architecture,” Smith says. “We focused a lot on amenity spaces and common areas. When we looked at it, it wasn’t return on cost we were looking at lifestyle for our residents. Expectations by seniors have changed dramatically.”

Inspīr is also introducing intergenerational programming similar to the 92nd Street Y and activities with students.

Other new luxury senior residences include 305 West End Residences on the Upper West Side and Sunrise at East 56th.

At 21 Clark St. in Brooklyn Heights, the first New York development from Watermark Retirement Communities will soon occupy a renovated Jehovah’s Witnesses property, a historic landmark built in 1927.

The 275 rentals, near the Clark Street subway station, will include independent living, assisted living and memory care, with over 70 styles of apartments with original mahogany woodwork, four ground-floor restaurants, an indoor heated lap pool and a yoga and movement studio.

Studios start at more than $8,000 per month, with assisted living starting at more than $11,000.

“There hasn’t been anything of this scale in the neighborhood,” said Michael Flores, membership director at Watermark Senior Living Brooklyn. “There’s been a tremendous response since we opened the leasing gallery.”