For 84 years, Plymouth Place in La Grange Park has been a vibrant mainstay in the western suburbs, offering thousands of golden agers an independently minded, engaging senior living community offering everything from state-of-the-art residential villas and bustling social calendars to expert care by professionals dedicated to camaraderie and trust.
Across eight decades, seniors from dozens of western suburbs have migrated to Plymouth Place, with most choosing the campus to remain close to the hometowns they’re downsizing from, relocate near adult children and grandchildren, or experience a senior living experience that breaks away from the traditional blueprint of retirement care.
And this fall, Plymouth Place is continuing to make good on its promise of continuing its senior-focused, future-driven vision with the groundbreaking of its Phase Three project, introducing 38 new independent living villas focused on independence, wellness and daily fulfillment.
The groundbreaking on Oct. 7, Plymouth Place, 315 N. La Grange Road, celebrated the construction kickoff of its new residential villas, with community leaders, project partners and construction teams sharing all that’s to come by this time next fall.
According to Jay Biere, CEO and president of Plymouth Place since 2018, the motivation behind the campus’ newest developments was clear: to keep pace with an evolving market.
Acknowledging that the market for senior living continues to evolve, Biere says the latest wave of retirees — the baby boomers — are entering senior living at a rapid pace and demanding major shifts in how the senior community market both looks and operates.
“What they want — and what they want to do — is different from the existing population,” he said. “Seniors today are looking for high-end quality programming, a focus on wellness, and a strive to remain independent. At Plymouth Place, we hope to continue to offer a variety of choices, options, and safety and security.”
Plymouth Place’s campus updates follow a market study conducted by the community, with results showing a strong need for new ways to serve aging adults.
Outcomes from Plymouth Place’s research and current resident feedback gave rise to a three-phase rejuvenation project for the campus: Phase One, which consisted of renovating the existing The Landing building to honor existing residents, with a redesign of the lower-level promenade and addition of a brand-new spa, salons, marketplace and multiple dining venues; Phase Two, the creation of The Arboretum Villas — 58 new residential villas offering connected, maintenance-free living and a Center for Healthy Living surrounded by a 17-acre arboretum; and the current Phase Three, adding on 38 new independent living villas and a multifunction performing arts hall.
The development of Phase Two’s The Arboretum Villas was completed ahead of schedule and sold out seven months ahead of its projected sales timeline, something Biere says demonstrates the area’s demand for modern and distinctive independent living concepts.
With the groundbreaking of Phase Three, the 38 new independent villas will feature spacious residences designed for contemporary living; interior, ground-level parking for safe, year-round resident and guest access; a state-of-the-art pavilion for gathering and entertainment; and indoor access to the greater Plymouth Place campus and amenities.
Biere says that as Plymouth Place nears a century of service to the western suburbs, its community remains as aware as ever of both the growing population of seniors entering the senior living market and the importance of modern life lived in true community.
Currently, around 450 people call Plymouth Place home, from short-term rehab patients to full-time residents.
“Here, residents are engaged in a huge way,” he said. “The commitment of the residents and employees really creates the culture of what I would call ‘service to others,’ and the thread that holds it all together really is the importance of serving. We have a term here called ‘servant leadership’ that means others first — and the other piece is we work really hard to honor older adults. Life doesn’t stop or stall when you come to community — whether you’re 62 or 92, life can be tremendous.”
For more information about Plymouth Place and its expansion project, visit plymouthplace.org.