From runways to fairways

Nursing Homes, March, 2005 by Robert Volzer

The Glen" might seem to have been a rather optimistic name for an 1,100-acre decommissioned military installation containing more than 100 old buildings and a million cubic yards of concrete, but as the former Glenview Naval Air Station was transformed into a dynamic new mixed-use district, the 1.5 miles of runways gave way to championship fairways, and a master-planned residential and commercial development followed to fill out the site with a host of new amenities for the Village of Glenview, Illinois.

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"A keystone within the development," explains April Maifield, AIA, of Legat Architects, "Chestnut Square occupies a transitional parcel between The Glen's retail complex and the Great Park. It offers affordable senior housing options within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and theaters while providing unobstructed views across the golf course, Lake Glenview, and the single-family housing of surrounding neighborhoods."

Challenged by the village board with the task of reflecting the architectural styles within the Village of Glenview, Legat Architects adopted the Arts and Crafts style for Chestnut Square, with its "Earth, Life, and Sky" influence. This style served as the basis of building massing as well as color and material selections throughout.

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The radial layout of Chestnut Square maximizes prime views from most apartments. All apartments feature a 24-hour emergency-call system, and with a 100% refundable entrance fee and "life lease" option, residents may move into the independent apartments and then later choose skilled care providers for extended care or take advantage of their priority access to Bethany Terrace Nursing Centre, also within the system.

While The Glen, overall, provides for the community a new multinode town core, having Chestnut Square located at the center of The Glen assures active residents that they can stay in the mainstream of community activities. They can also enjoy the adjacent 140-acre Great Park's winding garden paths and serene lake. Also accessible to residents is Park Center, with a full-service health and wellness venue that includes a swimming pool, a full array of exercise equipment, and a "Senior Wing." Even a quick trip into the city can be achieved independently via the adjacent Glen Metra Station!

I say "hats off" to the Village of Glenview, Illinois, for its vision and leadership in planning a vibrant community that respects its elders by providing a key parcel within the development for moderate-income retirees, who now may shed their automobiles without isolation, while also helping control housing costs by allowing providers to leverage public services, amenities, and real community assets instead of furthering recent trends of replicating such components and services on-site.

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RELATED ARTICLE: Chestnut Square at The Glen

GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS

PROJECT SUMMARY

Type of Facility/Setting: Congregate Senior Living

Owner: Bethany Methodist Corporation

Chief Administrator: David Shamrock, Executive Director, (847) 998-1118

Architecture & Interiors: Legat Architects, Inc., (847) 263-3535

Photography: Legat Architects, Inc. (buildings); McShane-Fleming Studios (aerial)

Size/Resident Capacity: 267,130 sq. ft.; 164 units averaging 850 sq. ft. each

Unit Sizes: 45 one-bedroom, 115 two-bedroom, and 4 two-bedroom/den units

Construction Cost: $26.9 million

Construction Cost/Sq. Ft.: $101

BY ROBERT VOLZER, CID, IIDA, VOLZER DESIGN DEVELOPMENT