Number of 80-year-olds doubling to 24M, many moving to SW Florida. Where are they going?
Phil Fernandez, Naples Daily News
10 min read
Long-time reader Leslie Feldman wondered about new Naples construction at the northeast corner of Airport-Pulling Road and Orange Blossom Drive.
"Something big is going up," Feldman asked In the Know. "What is it?"
Something big actually describes what this is all part of for a prime segment of Southwest Florida that we'll explain in today's column.
Here's what to know.
What's that at Airport-Pulling and Orange Blossom in Naples?
What you're witnessing right here is the beginning of foundation-related work for at least another five dozen or so units for the 35-acre Siena Lakes development as it expands west.
In fact, the county public documents refer to it as Siena Lakes West and also as Siena Lakes Phase 4.
In the Know: A worker puts up a temporary sign Tuesday Nov. 7, 2023 on Airport-Pulling Road as construction begins on Siena Lakes expansion off Orange Blossom Drive.
What used to be at the Airport-Orange Blossom intersection?
The growth has been continuing at the high profile spot that for four decades held Stoney's Barn fruit stand and its U-Pick citrus grove I've featured in the past, along with the Stoneburner family.
Siena Lakes, comprised of more than 350 residences mostly targeted at those who are independent, has another evolving major building that will hold 53 units for largely assisted living. The two-story Torre Square, named for a tower in Siena, Italy ― and not for Joe Torre, New York Yankees fans ― should be ready by late 2024, the folks at Erickson Senior Living have told me.
In the Know: Cars line up to get onto increasingly congested Orange Blossom Drive as a firetruck goes by in Naples on Tuesday Nov. 7, 2023.
What else is coming to increasingly congested Collier corner?
And those projects have no connection to yet an additional 336-unit enterprise at the southwest corner of the very same increasingly congested intersection slated to rise adjacent to The Carlisle Naples, another senior living community.
Known as The Haven, preliminary well work is beginning for the four-story apartment complex that thousands of residents vehemently opposed but got a green light this year by the Collier County Commission led by Chairman Rick LoCastro. The maximum height is set at 60 feet, 18 feet higher than the Carlisle, with 23 units per acre as compared to 14 units per acre next door.
Slated to develop it is South Carolina-based Johnson Development Associates, the outfit behind a pair of 320-unit apartments ― Marea completed this year at Airport and U.S. 41, and Lago opened in 2021 at Livingston and Radio roads, across from Collier's first Wawa.
Apartment construction at Livingston and Radio roads.
What kind of records are being set for senior living housing?
When the $300 million Siena Lakes was started more than two years ago, getting in involved a $352,000 "entrance fee" and a monthly service package at $3,400 monthly for utilities, a meal plan and other services. This summer, the minimum was just under $400,000 and $4,071 a month.
That's consistent with the 2023 trend nationally, where average asking rent for seniors housing has had the highest year over year increases in the history of data collection of more than 5%, according to National Investment Center's NIC MAP Vision, which compiles stats on the industry in the U.S.
In the Know: Siena Lakes construction at Orange Blossom Drive and Airport-Pulling Road in Naples on Tuesday Nov. 7, 2023. That's St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in the background.
'More older adults than ever now residents in senior housing'
And all the new complexes aren't keeping up with the record level of folks seeking such accommodations, new NIC Senior Housing and Care statistics released on Halloween show.
“More older adults than ever before are now residents in senior housing properties, which speaks to the tremendous need for senior housing and care services,” said Chuck Harry, NIC's chief operating officer. “The demand from aging adults seeking senior housing and care is on the rise. (Several) consecutive quarters of especially strong demand suggest that the need for the care and housing provided by senior housing is recognized."
The desire for these communities is driving the U.S. home care market, which is expected to grow to $225 billion by next year, up from $100 billion in 2016, according to Nationwide insurance.
In the Know: As the cars back up Tuesday Nov. 7, 2023 waiting for the long light on Orange Blossom Drive at Airport-Pulling Road, construction begins on Siena Lakes expansion.
What kind of occupancy surge is occurring in senior housing?
With 900,000 or so occupied seniors housing units, the NIC occupancy rate for senior housing ― defined largely as independent living and assisted living property types ― rose for the ninth consecutive quarter.
And this would help explain why these are rising all over the region that has one of nation's oldest congressional districts, with the third largest share of residents 65 and higher.
About 240 miles away, an iPhone attempts to capture the orange glow from a Nov. 9, 2023 Cape Canaveral rocket launch in the night sky of North Naples, where senior housing communities are exploding in growth.
What is driving senior community growth in SW Florida?
The Census shows that about one of six in the United States are in that category. The growth of this segment won't slow until about 2030 when all baby boomers will have reached that age, according to the National Council on Aging.
And as an analysis this year by Southwest Florida's LSI Cos. notes, those are the folks moving here: "Future growth in Southwest Florida will be due largely to record numbers of Baby Boomers retiring and migrating south."
At the same time, the population of Americans over the age of 80 is expected to double from 12 million in 2020 to 24 million by 2035, a Harvard study found, and Nationwide figures show 84 is the average age of a senior living community resident.
In the Know: Senior living complex rising on U.S. 41 in North Naples adjacent to Kane's furniture. Uploaded Nov. 9, 2023.
What other new senior housing is about to open in Naples?
Here's just a tiny sampling:
The 200-unit Grand Living of Naples is putting the finishing touches on its 241,071-square-foot complex that's about to open at 15150 Tamiami Trail N., north of a Mercedes Benz dealer, Kane's Furniture and an adjacent restaurant-laden shopping center.
Almost directly across the street, Vi Bentley Village has plans next year to open a redeveloped section of its neighborhood with 64 units that are slated for entrance fees starting at $2.5 million. In a similar time frame, the owners of the still expanding 263,500-square-foot compound, The Gallery at Cape Coral on Chiquita Boulevard off Veterans Parkway, are building the 158 units of The Gallery of Hacienda Lakes on Rattlesnake Hammock Road off Collier Boulevard.
“We are very intentional about the locations we select for Experience Senior Living developments," said Phill Barklow, president of ESL. “Naples is an ideal retirement community and residents desire to stay in the area."
In the Know: Construction started in December 2021 of Grand Living at Naples, a senior living community at 15150 Tamiami Trail N.
What happened to Sunshine Village in Lee County after Ian?
Senior living has lots of history in Southwest Florida.
For example, Iona's resident-owned and HUD-approved Sunshine Village, which last year took a tremendous hit from Hurricane Ian's more than 5 feet of flood waters, dates to 1975, according to the village's Sophia Brubaker.
Now, after 144 of the 197 abodes had to be demolished, Sunshine is on the comeback trail with new, more elevated structures emerging through builders, such as Allan Development Group.
In the Know: Founded in 1968, the 700-acre Shell Point Retirement Community in south Lee County near the Sanibel toll plaza and home to about 2,500 residents.
What expansion is taking place at Shell Point in Fort Myers?
And just about the granddaddy of them all around here, the nearby Shell Point Retirement Community dating to 1968 and home to 2,500 inhabitants, is targeting a 2026 completion of its 12-floor residential Vista Cay where prices are slated to begin at $1.2 million.
“Expansion has always been a part of Shell Point’s history," CEO Martin Schappell said. "We have steadily cultivated our offerings to meet the rising demand for senior lifestyle options in Southwest Florida."
In the Know: Rendering of the 12-story Vista Cay at South Lee County's 700-acre Shell Point Retirement Community, where construction is scheduled to begin in July 2023, with completion slated for 2026.
What trends are key for 2024 as senior living housing surges?
The upsurge in senior housing means government oversight remains critical, especially in the traditional nursing homes, advocates say.
“We anticipate further attempts by the nursing home industry to slash patient care and cut high-quality nursing staffing in Florida,” said Jeff Johnson, the state director for AARP, who lobbied the Legislature this year on behalf of the Sunshine State’s older residents and their families. “It is imperative to keep high-quality, safe care in our nursing homes, (and) residents deserve to feel valued.”
As recently as Friday, my colleague Liz Freeman reported on the state’s emergency license suspension of the Cape Coral Woodlands assisted living facility for ignoring a sexual assault and other failures. Prior to the latest action, Woodlands on Santa Barbara Boulevard south of Pine Island Road, already had a history of complaints.
And as prices soar and seniors become increasingly diverse, those are two other areas senior communities need to continue to address and work on, according to Bradenton-based consultants, Agility Senior Living Advisors. The firm says these half-dozen other factors have also been key in the industry's growth:
1. Aging in place with technology: Innovations such as smart homes, wearable health devices and telehealth services are empowering seniors to maintain independence while receiving necessary care.
2. Wellness holistic approach: Senior communities shifting from mere caregiving to overall well-being, with access to fitness centers, nutrition programs, mental health services and social activities.
3. Sustainable and eco-friendly design: Communities increasingly adopting eco-friendly designs and practices including energy-efficient buildings, green spaces and waste reduction initiatives.
4. Personalized care models: With artificial intelligence and data analytics, a trend toward personalized care models addressing each resident's unique needs and preferences, providing customized plans.
5. Intergenerational living: A setting fostering links between older adults and younger generations, a trend expanding in years ahead. Senior communities partnering with schools and childcare centers.
6. Remote work and flexible living: Remote work shift has led to older adults in senior communities continuing their careers while benefiting from amenities and support offered in these places.
Site for Haven apartment complex in North Naples adjacent to The Carlisle.
What's an example of remote work in senior living setting?
The Carlisle's Vicki Jakubovic and Kerry Philips provided an example of the latter when they were sharing ideas: They noted how 78-year-old Carlisle resident Marjorie Berend has been working 15 to 20 hours a week remotely for Brut Lighting, which has fringe benefits.
"Margie is a paid employee," Jakubovic told me. "At a time when many older adults are kicking back and enjoying the carefree days of life at their retirement community, Margie is emailing clients, accepting credit card payments and packaging and shipping thank-you gifts to customers."
That fringe benefit? Her son owns the company, which also employs her three grandchildren: "They get together about three times a month to discuss business or enjoy family time," Jakubovic said.
Site plan for The Haven in North Naples adjacent to The Carlisle.
How is senior living growth affecting employment, spinoffs?
It helps to have senior living experience in the construction game.
Stevens Construction just expanded its Fort Myers team with the addition of a project manager, Matt Jerrells, whose regional contractor background of close to 30 years centered a lot on senior living and health care projects, according to the firm.
The opportunities in senior living are growing for ancillary companies as well.
Fort Myers-based Studio+, an architectural and interior design firm with offices also in Tampa and California that specializes in healthcare, senior living and other markets, just expanded with its acquisition of Michigan's Assemble Design that focuses on retail and hospitality.
"We’re already seeing how hospitality design weaves into healthcare, and how we can leverage (Assemble's) expertise to expand and enhance our work.” Studio+ CEO Damon Romanello said.
Studio+ senior living projects have included 500,000-square-foot Amavida in Fort Myers, Cape Coral's 140-unit Keystone Place at Four Mile Cove, multi-faceted Keystone Place at Naples Preserve and exterior renovation in Collier County's massive Moorings Park, among many others in Florida.
View of Moorings Park's three campuses in the Naples area.
Which senior housing center is paying almost the most Collier taxes?
And it's The Moorings, with its three-campus senior living facilities, illustrating the value of that market, paying $1.6 million in property taxes in 2022, the second highest in Collier behind the owners of the Mercato.
But senior housing isn't the only kind of multifamily rolling into Southwest Florida including:
▶ Thursday's grand opening of the 254-unit Centro Apartments at Alico Road and I-75 in Fort Myers;
▶ and this week's official start of construction of The Ritz-Carlton Residences at Vanderbilt Beach Road and Gulf Shore Drive in Naples, where there already had been a lot of earlier groundwork.
We'll hit more of these in a future column.
Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com), who grew up in Southwest Florida, writes In the Know as part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Support Democracy and subscribe to a newspaper.
