COURTESY BROOKFIELD HOMES HAWAII The Leihano senior project slated for Kapolei is targeting baby boomers, who want a more active lifestyle as they age. Above, a rendering of a street in the planned community. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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Housing project caters to active seniors
Leihano Village in Kapolei aims to be different from earlier senior-living projects
Boomers, forget the likes of the Club Med. Brookfield Homes Hawaii and Kisco Senior Living believe the next generation of adult communities will boast wellness amenities that allow aging in place while pursuing the active lifestyles that baby boomers have made commonplace.
Brookfield and Kisco yesterday announced plans for Leihano Village, which the companies are calling Hawaii's first combined age-restricted adult and continuing-care community.
The 40-acre Kapolei development, which will cater to those 55 and above, will offer independent living and continuing-care accommodations.
The project is slated to open in 2009.
A joint development between kamaaina company Brookfield Homes Hawaii and island newcomer Kisco Senior Living is taking a different approach to catering to Hawaii's senior population, which is growing at more than two times the national average.
Leihano Village, which will offer active adults a fee-simple community of senior apartments and assisted living options, is aimed at capturing its share of the nation's 78 million baby boomers.
The project, slated to come to market in a few months, has already garnered support from the community -- nearly 1,000 potential residents have inquired about the development and as many as 60 have paid $1,000 refundable deposits, said Mitchell Brown, executive vice president of development for Kisco Senior Living, which already had developed 25 senior communities in six states prior to its venture into Hawaii.
While many industry leaders have said that an aging-in-place community wouldn't work in Hawaii, given a tradition of multi-family living that advocates kupuna and young living together, Brown said Kisco is bullish about its entry into the Hawaii market.
"We were confident that Hawaii was ready for this concept and saw a real need here," he said. "Besides, Hawaii is such a fabulous place to practice the art of living well."
Kisco's attraction to the islands is understandable given the strength of its demographic research. Older residents make up a larger proportion of the population here than ever before.
As baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, begin to enter middle age and look to retirement, many are gaining wealth by becoming empty-nesters or through inheritance. As Oahu's real estate analysts have pointed out before, many of the wealthier baby boomers have been coming to Hawaii for decades and are now looking to slow down.
Due to sheer numbers alone, Hawaii seniors have made an indelible mark on the state's real estate market. First, the baby boomer population spurred a wave of development at Hawaii's resort communities as boomers bought second homes and investment properties here. Now, as this aging population has begun looking to the future, it only makes sense that they'll spur a wave of senior development in Hawaii.
But this generation isn't looking for their parents' old-folks home.
COURTESY BROOKFIELD HOMES HAWAII A courtyard design is shown here in one of the common areas. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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"They want it all," said Jeffrey J. Proster, president of Brookfield Homes Hawaii, who advocates a holistic approach to homebuilding in the islands.
Designed by Group 70 International and JZMK Architects, Leihano will provide two different lifestyle options that encourage connectivity, rediscovery and the Hawaiian traditions of kokua (assistance) and malama (caring).
"We designed this community to provide seniors with what they want and that's independence," said Francis Oda, chairman and chief executive officer of Group 70 International. "At the same, time we've created spaces that will make it pleasant for their families to come and visit and feel like it's their second home."
Maile at Leihano, will offer 344 fee simple condominium homes ranging from 1,600 to 2,100 square feet, to families with one member over age 55. A la carte amenities will be offered to these homeowners as well as priority for other aging-in-place accommodations.
Ilima at Leihano, which will feature 240 cottage duplexes and apartment homes ranging from 665 to 1,373 square feet, will offer an amenity package that includes meals, housekeeping, transportation, concierge services and social programming. In addition, residents will be provided access to a continuum of care options that includes assisted living and 24-hour skilled nursing.
Unit prices will range from $300,000 to $800,000, and monthly amenity fees will range from the mid $2,000s to the mid $3,000s.
Leihano Village, which joins several other aging-in-place projects in various stages of development in West Oahu, will move the region closer to its planned status as Oahu's second city, said Sen. Will Espero, (D, Ewa-Ewa Beach-Kapolei).
"The vision for a new city in West Oahu is peaking in terms of the synergy which is going on," Espero said. "We've passed the University of Hawaii West Oahu, the Family Court has received $125 million and in the next five years we'll see many more projects. With Leihano, West Oahu will now become a total community for everyone."