"Topping Out" Adds Fresh Profile to Fort Worth as Baby Boomers Prepare to "Rewire"

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec. 15, 2010 - The Stayton at Museum Way has officially “topped out” its construction, bringing a new and innovative profile to the Fort Worth cultural district.  At 11 stories, it stands as one of the tallest buildings along South 7th street and is one of the taller retirement communities in the nation.

Designed by nationally-recognized architect David Dillard, The Stayton’s distinctive multi-building construction blends with the refined lifestyle milieu which defines the cultural district.  It offers both a new silhouette and a fresh perspective—with sweeping upper story views of Fort Worth’s world-class cultural district, where it draws inspiration from architectural icons like the Kimbell Art Museum.  But the parallels don’t stop there.

The Stayton was designed to not only align with local culture, but to also track with the “sonic boom” in social change as 77 million baby boomers start reaching retirement age in 2011.  As with every other phase of American life, the Boomers—those born between 1949 and 1964—are redefining retirement, and recreating it to suit their personal preferences. And marketers like Starbucks Coffee and others have flourished by catering to the Boomer obsession with freedom of choice.

The Boomer verdict is now in, and perhaps comes as no surprise: retirement should be an extension of self expression and personal growth.  Age 65 is simply a time to “rewire’ for active aging rather than to retire into “old age.” As a result—to paraphrase the famous TV ad for Oldsmobile—The Stayton is not your grandparent’s retirement home.  

“The Stayton is designed for emerging social order that reflects a whole new perception about what it means to grow older in America,” said Dillard.  “We’re talking about a huge demographic shift here that is literally reshaping our cities and social fabric.  That shift is informing architecture for senior living with a dozen new dialects along the lines of social interaction, hospitality, healthcare, food service, entertainment, amenities, sustainability, and walking distance to local attractions—to name only a few.”

Besides adding to the skyline, The Stayton beckons baby boomers from around the nation with high profile living in an urban setting—within easy walking distance of the nation’s largest cultural district. “New Urbanism” merges the boomer’s appetite for convenience with a growing affinity for fitness and reducing their carbon footprint.  Walkable urbanism requires structures that go up rather than out, which has birthed resurgence in what urban planners call “vertical living.”  

“Where in the past, vertical living often meant numbing conformity based on the economies of formulaic apartment design, many of today’s high rise retirement communities have more in common with a five star hotel,” said  Justin Spooner,  executive director for The Stayton at Museum Way. “The pivotal departure is that moving to a retirement community no longer means fitting into an institutional setting but rather having that community shape its resources around residents.  And that personal customization—here at The Stayton—extends down to the individual level, not only in floor plans and décor but at every level of service.”

Accordingly, The Stayton is designed to accommodate the lifestyle needs of active seniors who move in as independent residents, offering a range of luxurious amenities such as swimming pools, libraries, onsite eateries and bars, as well as chef-cooked meals, served in a stately dining room.  However, residents will have access to a “continuum of care” as health needs arise. That continuum—called “life care”—provides for assisted living, skilled nursing and even advanced memory care right on site.  

Those health services are shaped around the resident’s individual—and family--needs for any of a range of specialized care, whether a visit to the clinic, short term rehabilitation or long-term care.  Importantly, this change in health status and care needs requires involves little or no change in their monthly fee.  Another plus: should only one spouse require medical care, they can remain together at the same location.

To be sure, this consumer-driven formula for retirement appeals to more than just Boomers.  In fact, most of the current depositors at The Stayton are pre-Boomers—many are members of the the WWII generation who see imminent health care more of a draw than the active lifestyle amenities. However, The Stayton positions Fort Worth well for the next wave, 77 million Boomers who refuse to grow old—and want every last iota of satisfaction that comes with active aging.  The big draw for them is independent living—while allowing for healthcare options down the road, of course.

Despite an adverse economy, The Stayton has connected well with area retirees and is already more than 80 percent reserved, right on track for its planned opening in 2011. That robust acceptance signals a strong financial footing, along the same lines as Edgemere—its sister senior community in Dallas, which has been fully operational since 1999.    

Now under construction in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the 11-story, three building community will feature 188 independent living residences with a variety of spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. The Stayton will provide onsite assisted living, memory support, and private skilled nursing for life care residents in the community.

The Stayton at Museum Way is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit senior living community sponsored by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that sponsors sister communities The Buckingham in Houston, Edgemere in Dallas, Querencia at Barton Creek in Austin, and Mirador under construction in Corpus Christi. For information call (817) 439-6936 or visit www.thestayton.com.