The $8.4 million, 61,300-square-foot project at 8051 Palomas NE, which is expected to open in December, is a joint venture of MorningStar Senior Living and Confluent Development Services, both based in Denver.
“Our geographic focus is major markets west of St. Louis,” said Matthew Turner, chief financial and development officer at MorningStar. “Albuquerque fits squarely into that. We love the city — it’s a vibrant city — and the opportunity for us to offer a quality and innovative product.”
MorningStar’s first project in New Mexico, the Palomas facility will have 48 assisted living units, ranging from studio to two-bedroom, in the two-story building as well as a 21-unit “Reflections Neighborhood” where memory care will be provided.
The facility will create about 70 full- and part-time jobs to provide 24/7 staffing, Turner said. Albuquerque resident Larry Mascarenas, who has worked in senior living for 2½ years, is its executive director.
MorningStar will offer upscale amenities including restaurant-style dining with meals prepared by an executive chef, various community spaces and an activities program. A majority of the residents are expected to be drawn from neighborhoods in the Northeast Heights.
“The average age of our residents is north of 80,” Turner said. “We’re really focused not only on providing service to our residents but to their families as well.”
MorningStar’s facility is on the same stretch of Palomas as Paloma Landing Retirement Community, an independent living facility, and Las Palomas Center, a 120-bed residential care and skilled nursing facility.
MorningStar’s new site occupies about 2½ acres of the 3.4-acre site. Turner said the balance of the site likely will be developed separately for retail uses.
MorningStar has 23 properties open or in development in 11 cities in seven states.
By: Richard Metcalf (Albuquerque Journal)
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