HARRISON — Nancy and Bernie Berlin were looking for a place to settle after downsizing from their Eastchester home. A week before Thanksgiving, they moved into Brightview Harrison, a newly opened senior housing development, where they met new friends and discovered new interests.
“Everyone is so friendly. When we walked in, it felt like we were coming home,” Nancy Berlin said.
Located in front of a granite rockscape, Brightview Harrison (600 Lake Street) is a four-story luxury senior living community with 146 apartment units. Sixty-six of the units will be independent living, 50 will be assisted living apartments, and 27 will be memory care apartments.
The Berliners live in a two-bedroom apartment with their dog. Couples enjoy happy hour, live music, and chair yoga classes. They hosted a Thanksgiving gathering of 14 family members in the complex’s private event space.
Monthly rates for one-bedroom detached units start at $16,900. This includes meals, nutritional enrichment and fitness programs, personal care services, and in-house nurse assistance. Facilities include a dining room, private event space, movie theater, beauty salon, library, fitness room, bar, and art studio.
Julie Masiello, BrightView’s senior vice president of marketing and technology, said the goal is to create a better experience for seniors.
“Older adults need social interaction and active participation in programs that are good for their physical and mental health,” Masiello said. “If we can make seniors’ lives better, that’s a win for us.”
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“We look for ways for our residents to thrive.”
Westchester has long attracted builders specializing in luxury senior living. The past decade has seen a rapid increase in the number of complexes equipped with luxury amenities for the wealthy. According to the U.S. Census website, the percentage of adults 55 and older in Westchester was 29%.
Brightview was one of the first companies to express interest in building senior housing developments a decade ago. Five stores have opened in New York, including two in Tarrytown and Orangeburg. Two other projects are planned in Greenburgh and Mount Pleasant.
What makes Brightview properties unique is that we design properties and programs based on input from future residents. Prospective residents are encouraged to fill out a survey that includes their interests, life stories, and features they would like to see in the development. From art classes to book clubs, opera shows, nature walks and trips to local attractions, our Westchester and Rockland locations offer an enrichment program that meets residents’ cultural and educational programming needs.
“It’s really about finding opportunities to find joy. We’re looking for ways to grow beyond just taking care of our residents,” said Brightview Senior Living Regional Director of Sales. Caitlin Fish said.
After Mimi Simon went to the emergency room after a fall, her family decided it was time to move her closer to their daughter. The 92-year-old former administrator moved to Brightview Harrison in November. She plans to join an exercise class and make new friends.
“The people are so friendly. The staff is great. They couldn’t be more helpful,” Simon said.
Senior living has evolved since Brightview opened its first location in Maryland in 1999. Masiello said one of the changes is the application of technology. The memory care unit is equipped with AI cameras to detect falls and alert staff.
The average age of Brightview residents is 84 years old. Approximately 40% of units were leased as of November.
Brightview expansion has received mixed reactions
As Brightview continues its expansion into Westchester, the company has received mixed reactions. Some embrace senior living communities, while others file lawsuits to challenge the development.
Brightview Harrison development faces backlash from the community. In 2018, a group of residents raised more than $90,000 as part of a legal challenge to a development built on the former quarry, after an earlier lawsuit was dismissed in 2017.
In contrast, officials are looking forward to seeing what Brightview’s development plans will bring to the area.
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner said his company’s upcoming project, Brightview Greenburgh, will not only provide quality care for seniors, but will also benefit the neighborhood by building sidewalks. He said he is very much looking forward to what he will bring.
Brightview Greenburgh will be built on the former Metropolis Country Club site at 289 Dobbs Ferry Road. This includes eight assisted living apartments and six independent living apartments that are 20% below market value. It is scheduled to open in 2027.
“With an aging population, the demand for facilities like this is increasing. The only thing is that they are very expensive. What we need going forward is affordable assisted living facilities. ”Finer said.
In addition to increasing options for seniors, Brightview promises both infrastructure and tax benefits.
Mount Pleasant Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi said the 170-unit project planned at 236 Grasslands Road would generate taxes without impacting the town.
In addition, the developer has promised to build a new water system that will provide water to several nearby homes that currently rely on wells. Construction will take place over four years and is scheduled to open in 2028.
“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time, mainly because we want to see the water mains moved as soon as possible. The wells there have really bad water coming through, so we need a new water system in the area. “It would be welcomed,” Fulgenzi said.
Helu Wang covers real estate, economic growth, and development for The Journal News/lohud and the USA Today Network. Please contact hwang@gannett.com.
