A local senior residence wants to develop a six-storey building to meet the growing demand for senior housing in the city. Located at 20 Hebert Road, St.
A local senior residence wants to develop a six-storey building to meet the growing demand for senior housing in the city.
Located at 20 Hebert Road, St. Albert's Rosedale Seniors’ Living plans to expand its services by adding another home next to its existing seniors’ residence.
The 77,000 square foot Rosedale Baybridge project will match the architecture and colour of the existing building and offer 82 new independent living units.
“We saw the amount of people on the waiting list and we wanted to build additional housing to accommodate that list,” said Rosedale president Lorenzo Clonfero.
“So we went initially with the four-storey suggestion and it was approved but during that process people came back and said we need more suites.”
Plans for a four-storey building with 56 units on the same location were first approved in October, 2012. The building planner, IBI Group, is now awaiting approval for the new project.
Rosedale Baybridge will offer one and two-bedroom units, and a private dining room. A link between the buildings will allow residents to enter the existing common rooms without having to step outside.
The entrance and drop-off area will stay in the same place, though the parking lot will be reconfigured to accommodate more parking space, pick-up for garbage and moving vans.
The new building will also offer 26 additional underground parking stalls.
Clonfero said it takes a year and a half until residents can move into the existing residence, with about 150 people on the waiting list.
A one-bedroom suite costs about $2,300 per month. Among other services this includes weekly housekeeping services, 24-hour emergency service, recreational outings and dinner.
Rosedale is located in walking distance to Safeway and a shopping mall – a growing trend in senior residences across North America, said IBI Group associate Cathryn Chopko Beck.
This allows seniors to stay in the community and engage with their family and friends, instead of becoming isolated, she said.
“So there is an opportunity to walk over to Safeway or the doctor’s office or the other shops and services here and be really close,” she said.
“You don’t have to have a car and you become a part of the community.”
Once approved by city council, construction of Rosedale Baybridge may start within the next three months and could be finished by 2014.
