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In The Pipeline: Distinctive Living Plans Next Development In New Jersey; Cedarhurst Opens Nebraska Community

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Construction: Planned

Distinctive Living plans New Jersey’s ‘most ambitious’ new development

Distinctive Living, along with Melillo Equities and Pointsfive recently closed $84.7 million in construction financing for CopperWood Senior Living, a new community in Somerset County, New Jersey, according to a news release.

Distinctive Living’s development wing, Distinctive Living Development, will co-develop the “landmark adaptive reuse project” with Melillo and PointsFive to transform a former corporate campus into a luxury senior living destination including independent living, assisted living and memory care.

The overall development will create 214 luxury residences for senior living, including 118 independent living residences, 66 assisted living residences and 30 memory care residences, the news release states.

The campus was originally built in 1979 by architect J. Robert Hillier that spans 480,000 square-feet and a 10-building campus with postmodern design with brick-clad buildings, copper-accented roofs, clocktower, slotted glass windows and landscaped courtyards.

The existing interconnected buildings will create a collection of “intimate residential neighborhoods” showcased by brick archways, enclosed passages and garden paths that connect with common areas and residences. A circular driveway and private entrance with a gatehouse will help support privacy for residents and create a “sense of arrival” in the Somerset County area, according to the news release.

Residents will have access to full-services dining, an oversized courtyard, sports bar, bistro bar, wellness facilities, fitness center with a pool, spa and sauna, along with a dog park, walking trail, performing arts center and outdoor tennis and pickleball courts.

Next phase in Florida development announced

McDowell Housing Partners announced it has secured financing and will start construction on Ekos at Bayonet Point II, the second phase of a three-part master-planned community that will add 360 affordable homes to Pasco County, Florida, according to a news release.

The $38.9 million development will add 120 age-restricted apartments in Hudson, Florida. A total of 29 acres are included in the master-planned development that was rezoned in 2024. The first phase, adding 114 age-restricted senior apartments, will open later this year and phase two is about to start construction, the news release states.

Ekos at Bayonet Point II will include a five-story building with 120 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments that average roughly 660 square-feet. Rents and incomes will be restricted across three tiers of area median income.

All apartments will offer a range of energy efficient appliances, low flow plumbing fixtures and LED lighting, and the building was designed to meet certification under the ICC 700 National Green Building standards. Residents will have amenities at their disposal, including a standalone clubhouse, pool, covered patio, fitness center, computer lab, game and crafts space and a dog park. Other features include gazebos, barbecue grilling areas and a walking trail to connect all three development phases.

The second phase is expected to be completed in early 2028. The architect on the project is FK Architecture, High Pointe Engineering as civil engineer and MHP Park and Eleazer Construction as the project’s general contractor. THe property will be managed by Bryten Real Estate Partners.

Chicago area affordable senior housing property planned

Chicago-based developer Casanova Development recently announced financing was secured for a new affordable senior housing property in New Lenox, Illinois, according to a news release.

Lincoln Prairie at Briarwood is the first independent development for Casanova Development and the project will add 47 affordable senior homes in the area. The community will include one- and two-bedroom apartments and is the first phase of a larger, intergenerational community with townhomes for families planned after the construction of the senior housing component.

Construction: Completed

Cedarhurst Senior Living opens Nebraska community

Cedarhurst Senior Living recently announced the opening of Cedarhurst of Lincoln, a new assisted living and memory care community, in Lincoln, Nebraska, according to a news release.

The new community was designed to infuse hospitality and care in a welcoming environment to help older adults live fulfilling lives in retirement.

Cedarhurst of Lincoln spans 75,000 square-feet and is a two-story community built on a 10-acre site. Total unit counts include 63 assisted living apartments with 26 memory care suites for older adults in need of assisted living and memory support.

A wide range of amenities are available to residents, alongside a personalized dining program, that include a theater, outdoor courtyards, housekeeping and laundry services. The community’s overall design is aimed at creating “comfort, style and functionality” for older adults in a homelike setting.

New residents are now moving into the community following its completion.

Affordable Oregon senior housing community now open

Wickiup Station, a new affordable senior housing property, in La Pine, Oregon is now open, expanding affordable living options for older adults, according to a news release.

The design includes 39 affordable apartments for older adults, veterans and low income residents earning between 30% and 60% of the area’s median income. The new affordable housing property is the first of four phases in a development effort that will culminate in adding 130 affordable homes in the central Oregon area.

The community was designed by LRS Architects on behalf of Northwest Housing Alternatives, and the development is planned on the needs of a smaller, high-desert community with older adults and veteran residents in mind, the news release states.

Overall, the community’s design supports aging in place with enclosed breezeways, deep entry overhands, a high performance envelop, photovoltaic solar power and a cold attic design to address winter weather conditions. Wickiup Station includes a resident services program, community room, fitness area, raised garden beds and outdoor gathering spaces.