Best assisted living designs for Global Awards shortlisted
LOS ANGELES: The shortlist for the best assisted living design has been declared.
Over 250 designs have been considered by the awards secretariat. One of the finalists in this category is shown above.
After a three-week continuance, San Diego City Council unanimously approved the new El Camino Real Assisted Living project in Carmel Valley on March 17.
The new facility is proposed on the property owned by St. Sarkis Armenian Church on El Camino Real, a three-story, 105,568-square-foot building with 105 rooms composed of 87 assisted living units and 18 memory care units. The development closely borders the Harvest Evangelical Church and the Stallions Crossing residential community and is near Gonzales Canyon and the restored San Dieguito River Park wetlands.
Nolan Weinberg, director of development for the healthcare-focused real estate developer PMB, said over the last several years they have been working to create a project that fits the unique site and meets a critical housing need in San Diego. He said the 80-year-old population will double by 2040 creating more demand for facilities like this, where residents require assistance with at least two activities of daily living.
“This facility represents our shared values of care, dignity and respect for our elderly who have spent their lives building the communities we cherish today,” said Fr. Pakrad Berjekian of St. Sarkis. “An assisted living facility is not just about development, it is a necessity.”
Many people came down to city council chambers to speak both for and against the project and public comments were limited to one minute per person.
Those opposed addressed major concerns about the traffic impact on El Camino Real, with the project served by a single, “extremely dangerous” un-signalized driveway on a blind curve. Residents also opposed adding density in a very high fire severity zone, expressing concerns about wildfire evacuation.
The Global Award winner will be announced in December in London. (Globals)