Additional senior living units from a locally-based operator are coming to Alexandria’s West End.
Goodwin Living broke ground Wednesday (Oct. 7) on the $360 million Goodwin House Seminary Road at N. Beauregard Street and Seminary Road. Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Council Members Sandy Marks and Abdel Elnoubi joined Goodwin Living and Clark Construction leaders for the groundbreaking.
Located near the operator’s existing The View Alexandria and Goodwin House Alexandria, it will provide 257 units across two towers for adults 55 and older. The community will provide 217 independent living apartments as well as 16 assisted living apartments and 24 skilled nursing and memory care units.
Rob Liebreich, president and CEO at Goodwin Living, told ALXnow Northern Virginia is the sixth fastest-growing market for older adults in the U.S. He estimated the region is seeing a 40% growth in adults 65 and older between 2020 and 2030.
“What’s significant about the groundbreaking is it represents a wonderful new addition to Alexandria and to the region in terms of a place for 350 older adults and 150 new jobs and positions,” Liebreich said. “It’s an investment in creating capacity and options for older adults, which is so needed right now, given the tremendous growth of that population.”
Seven of the one-bedroom residences will be designated affordable units through an affordable housing plan developed with the City of Alexandria. Liebreich said the seven apartments will have an entrance fee under $2,000 and monthly fee of approximately $2,000.
“If they need assisted living or skilled nursing, their monthly fee doesn’t go up, other than for a little bit of food allowance, and so they keep that rate,” he said. “And if people can find assisted living or skilled nursing rates at that level, that’s a real gift to the overall community.”
For all Goodwin Living residents, those that run out of funds “by no fault of their own” can continue to live at their senior living community.
“We spent close to $600,000 just last year on residents who run out of funds,” Liebreich said.
The future community had 100% of 210 apartments reserved by March. In all, 550 depositors are lined up for apartments or the wait list. Assisted living and memory care units are expected to be utilized closer to the opening, while Liebreich says families needing assisted living now can reach out for availability at existing Goodwin Living locations.
“I think the fact that we’ve got a two-year plus lead time before they actually have to move gives a good pathway for folks,” Liebreich said. “We’re preparing them now. We’re starting that process now in terms of what they need to think about the spaces that will be available to them.”
For independent living residents, Goodwin Living will provide ways to stay engaged through events and outings as well as amenities to use without leaving the property. One of the highlights of the community will be an urban arboretum with various trees and outdoor space. The arboretum will also be open to the public for scheduled visits and tours.
Other amenities will include indoor pickleball courts, rooftop green spaces, saltwater indoor pool, fitness center, arts studios, dining venues and pet services. Goodwin Living also runs a paid internship program with high school and college students, an art gallery program with Northern Virginia Community College students, and the Herralink program to form friendship between older adults and volunteers.
The opening of Goodwin House Seminary Road is expected in 2029. Clark Construction is serving as the general contractor.
“This project represents a critical step forward in expanding the essential housing, wellness, and healthcare infrastructure needed for our region’s older adults,” Terry Simon, division president with Clark Construction, said. “We are proud to partner with Goodwin Living on this $360 million investment, creating more than 1,000 local construction jobs and building a dignified home for the Alexandria community.”
