Gracious Living: More Inviting Than Ever

Richmond-PlaceAt Richmond Place, everything old is new again.

The elegant retirement community located on Rio Dosa Drive off Man O’ War Boulevard, which opened in 1984, has recently completed a $3 million renovation, making its independent living building more inviting than ever.

Over the past two years, Richmond Place has expanded its facilities to provide the full continuum of care for patients within the community’s extensive grounds.

This allows residents to “age in place” by offering a full range of housing options from independent living to skilled nursing care.

After that project was completed, Richmond Place launched the renovation of the independent living building, making the retirement community even more elegant and user friendly.

“We have residents who range in age from 59 to over 100,” said Jacqueline Kennedy, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing.

“With that diverse population, we need to offer opportunities for all generations to enjoy.”

That’s what the newest renovation of Richmond Place is all about.

Highlights of the changes to the three-story building that houses 200 residents include:

Just off the first floor lobby, Richmond Place removed the front wall to the former library, transforming it into a bright, open living room with improved lighting, cozy sofas and an inviting fireplace.

Now on the second floor, the library has been expanded into a computer room, an amenity that better serves tech-savvy residents.

The newly redecorated formal dining room seats 120 and includes a private room for family parties.

The new café features casual dining and a comfortable visiting room with tables for four and three big screen TVs, making it a fun place for residents to take visitors for a quick bite, maybe while catching a UK game.

All dining areas have views of the patio, which is part of a six-acre park complete with walking trails, a putting green, heated swimming pool, gardens and gazebo.

Also upgraded is the multi-purpose room that is used for movies, exercise groups, seminars, educational events and church services. The card room features new tables and TV, and also overlooks the six-acre park.

“We’re here to enhance our residents’ lives,” Kennedy said.

“They are leaving their homes and looking for a new lifestyle. We can provide them with a gracious setting for that new life along with more casual settings.”

As rooms become available, they will be renovated with granite countertops, modern fixtures, and new appliances and flooring.

Even the hallways at Richmond Place have been updated.

The new, brighter hallways feature columns and light fixtures around each resident’s doorway, making them seem more like the entrance to a home.

All these upgrades are geared toward making the lives of residents richer, more active and more social.

“We see that our residents are more active when they move here than they were in their own homes,” Kennedy said.

“We hear it all the time: ‘I wish I’d come here sooner.’”

The best ambassadors for Richmond Place are the residents themselves.

Kennedy described an encounter while hosting a prospective resident.

Said Kennedy: “A current resident said with her eyes twinkling, ‘I have things to do all the time. I’m active, I feel safe. I feel fulfilled.

‘Please come join me!’”