Founded in 1985, Bill Kaplan co-founded Senior Lifestyle Corporation to assist in meeting the increasing demand for quality seniors housing throughout the country. He recognized that consumers were becoming more sophisticated in evaluating their lifestyle options. Senior Lifestyle, a Chicago-based company, responded with innovations that helped to meet the rising expectations.
In 1986, Senior Lifestyle made its mark as a leading developer of upscale, independent housing, breaking ground on and opening The Breakers at Edgewater Beach in Chicago. A high rise, lake front community with 474 apartments, The Breakers, opened in 1988 offering first-class services and amenities with an emphasis on quality dining.
The spring of 1989, the second Breakers community was opened as The Breakers of Golf Mill in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
In 1993, with its portfolio growing, the company added Senior Suites. Developed in cooperation with the City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office and it’s various departments, Senior Suites provides affordable retirement apartments for income qualified residents in various neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Today, there are 21 Senior Suite communities throughout Chicago and nearby areas.
Beginning In 1996, Senior Lifestyle Corporation expanded its investor base by accessing institutional equity to fuel the company’s plan for growth. Among other key acquisitions during this period was the purchase of the company’s first CCRC, Evergreen/Wellspring, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
2002 kicked off a series of successful investment partnerships for Senior Lifestyle. Through the purchase of existing communities in various states, the company added 24 communities and 3,670 units. The 2002 acquisitions included three additional CCRC’s, Lincolnwood Place, Lincolnwood, IL, Liberty Heights, Colorado Springs, CO and Seasons, Cincinnati, OH; specifically adding 862 units to the portfolio.
Also, in 2002, Senior Lifestyle completed the development of Mangrove Bay, a 155 luxury apartment community located on the intra-coastal cause-way in Jupiter, Florida.
2005 Senior Lifestyle’s launched its first midmarket community, Autumn Green at Midway Village. Opening in May, Autumn Green offers an economical market rate with select services including independent and assisted living options, rounding out the company portfolio by offering three levels of product, luxury, midmarket and affordable choices for seniors housing.
2007 the company’s second midmarket community opens - Autumn Green at Wright Campus.
In 2008 Senior Lifestyle successfully completes an adaptive restructuring of a designated historical site into a Senior Suites community in Joliet, Illinois. Additionally, the company acquired Harbour Village, the first community in Wisconsin, adding 232 units.
Late in 2009 Senior Lifestyle acquires three additional communities adding 220 assisted living and memory care units, expanding our presence in Pennsylvania and acquiring the first community in Indiana.