Baby Boomers Are Upping The Ante on Active Adult Communities

From Staff Reports

Of all senior housing types, active adult communities are among the fastest-growing yet also the most challenging for selecting and planning sites — as well as crafting winning architectural solutions.

The 55-plus cohort presents contradictions to designers and developers, says architect Rocky Berg of the Dallas-based firm three, which specializes in senior living.

Berg is among an array of expert speakers set to discuss these complexities at InterFace Active Adult, a symposium in Dallas on August 4th billed as the “A to Z on the hottest trend in seniors housing,” and listed as the first in-person event devoted entirely to the active adult niche.

What does the future of the 55-plus community look like? 

“These residents are physically active and relish time outdoors even as they’re giving up yard chores and seeking purposeful lifestyles,” says Rockland Berg, AIA, NCARB, ASHA, who is cited frequently on the topic. “They are paring down their living spaces yet are drawn to apartments with open floor plans, spa baths, accessible storage and connections to the outdoors.” 

Balancing this desire for a smaller personal footprint, these residents are attracted to communities with a variety of social venues on site that are also nested within a larger community context offering convenient and robust shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural diversions. 

While the active-adult housing sector is dominated by rental offerings, adds Berg, moves to these developments are often seen as long-term choices, so affordability and diminishing incomes are primary influences.

Other fundamental planning considerations aim at providing the possibility of aging-in-place, including universal design and lean buildings conceived to transition with residents as their service requirements change. 

As Boomer populations come to dominate active-aging residential communities, their lifestyle choices will demand tailored, yet diverse hospitality and care services.

“Anticipating the requirements of a changing landscape of third party service providers and associated technologies makes this a dynamic and and challenging puzzle to solve,” says Berg. “At three we love working with clients who are value progressive solutions for the active aging.”

And while main-level living and architectural elements such as island kitchens and large windows hold wide appeal, it’s a diverse demographic known to be sophisticated and finicky, especially with finishes and detailing.

Security and safety, wellness, and supporting hobbies or broader life goals round out the home qualities sought by the 55-and-over set. For many midlife renters and buyers, easy-to-maintain and adaptable layouts are essential — accommodating stays by returning children, grandchildren, older relatives or caretakers.

This one-and-a-half day conference starting Aug. 4 brings together the leading players in the burgeoning active adult/55+ segment, which includes seniors housing owners, operators, investors and developers active in this space.  

Also in attendance: leading players from the conventional multifamily and student housing industries who are increasingly interested in active adult. 

The event will combine high-level education and market information along with plenty of opportunities for networking. To register or find out more, click through here.