New Horizon Assisted Living Facility

Grants Pass, Oregon

Ridgeline Management Company hired Rowell Brokaw Architects in 2005 to create a design vision for several assisted living, memory care, and independent retirement facilities in Oregon, Nevada and California. The Horizon Senior Community provided a unique opportunity to fulfill a vision that Ridgeline Management, led by Dr. Charles McGlade, has had since entering senior housing development.

Dr. McGlade’s vision is that assisted living should be much more than isolated “apartments” but should strive to be integrated into mixed communities and should itself encourage the mixing of uses and activities.

The Grants Pass property happened to come with a commercial zoned strip of land across the street that was undeveloped. In response, Rowell Brokaw proposed creating a small “main street”, mixed-use district using the public amenities of the assisted living facility on one side of the street and to develop commercial retail and office spaces on the other side of the street.

This mixed-use district creates a small village center for a senior community that a person would otherwise have to drive several miles for these kinds of amenities. The entire site design began to respond to these opportunities by creating passive stormwater treatment on site, and creating strong pedestrian connections and opportunities for existing and new residents.