Environments for Aging - Spring 2021 - 28

Making history
Designed in a Romanesque Revival style,
the 310,000-square-foot building features
Venetian-inspired towers on each corner,
arched windows, corbeled brick, and
terracotta ornamentation. In 1975, the
Jehovah's Witnesses religious organization
purchased the building and converted it into
dormitory housing for its local staff. Because
of the structure's history and landmark
designation, the project team couldn't alter
the exterior, except for restoring the original marquee on Clark Street to denote the
main entrance to the building, says Richard
J. DeMarco, principal of Montroy DeMarco
Architecture (New York). Therefore, much of
the project work focused on transforming the
interiors of the 15 above-ground and three
below-ground floors into a luxury setting for
seniors in the city.
The new design utilizes the original hotel's
main entrance and lobby in the same fashion,
although with some revisions. Because the first
28

" It was important
to create an
elevated aesthetic
throughout all
levels of care,
to align with the
building's ageless
style and luxury. "
- Eva Moore, LifeStrong LLC
floor is about 2.5 feet below the Clark Street
entrance, one of the first steps was installing
an ADA-compliant ramp adjacent to the stairs
leading down to the main floor, DeMarco says.
There, residents and visitors are greeted with a
grand space, complete with a piano, concierge
desk, wine bar, and salon. " A French bistro adjacent to reception suggests the idea of being
on a promenade and creates a sense of conviviality, setting the tone for the overall experience
at the residence, " says Escobar. " Right behind
the bistro is the library, which is part of the sequencing of the lobby and in a way announces
the sophisticated feel of the building. "

Just past the library is a large elevator
lobby and mail room, and then beyond a clear
glass wall and doors, a mezzanine that overlooks a dramatic 2,100-square-foot doubleheight dining room with large windows on
two street fronts. The mezzanine also houses
an art gallery featuring local and international
artists and touring exhibits.
The Watermark's 275 residences, including
145 independent living units, 88 assisted living units, and 42 memory care units, are distributed between the 15 above-ground floors.
To determine the right mix of apartment and
programs styles, Schachter says Watermark
did extensive market studies, including focus
groups with potential prospects. " It helped us
determine the depth of demand for each level
of care; amenities to include; and the optimal
mix for rates, occupancy, and value, " he says.
The independent units on the 11th and 13th
floors feature 78 different floor plans for the 74
one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedrooms units,
and 48 studios. Assisted living units, located
on floors 10, 12, 14, and 15, comprise 16
studios and 70 one-bedroom and two twobedroom apartments.
All the residences are built to ADA code
and with universal design features, such as
zero-threshold, barrier-free showers and
non-slip porcelain tile. The apartments feature
open floor plans, designer kitchens, and large

PHOTO BY BARRY HYMAN, ART DIRECTION BY INES NEWBY

urban resort aesthetic that's respectful of the
building's history (it's even designated a local
landmark). " Everything feels very authentic
in the building and, in general, the idea of the
resort allows the residents to navigate the
building with ease and with the feeling of a
place where everything blends. "

EFAmagazine.com * Spring 2021

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Environments for Aging - Spring 2021

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