LA POSADA AT PUSCH RIDGE
RETIREMENT REIMAGINED
Passion Meets Purpose at La Posada Pusch Ridge Retirement Reimagined
By Loni Nannini
La Posada at Pusch Ridge is redefining retirement in Southern Arizona and beyond with a newly constructed, luxury “Life Plan” community in an unparalleled setting in Oro Valley.
The multi-phase, resort-style community at 11050 N. Avenida Posada de Oro is also helping to fill a growing gap in retirement industry resources and services nationwide, according to Joni Condit, president and CEO of La Posada Communities.
“Statistics predict that by 2030, seniors over the age of 65 will be the largest cohort in the U.S. La Posada’s mission is to maximize the well-being of seniors, and with more seniors turning 65 every day, our board and leadership team felt that it was time to expand our service area,” said Condit.
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“We believe that everyone deserves to age with joy, purpose and dignity. Our nonprofit, Life Plan community in Oro Valley on 80 acres has phenomenal views of the Catalina Mountains and a team dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults through exceptional services, meaningful relationships and innovative programs.”
The 2025 completion of Phase I of the state-of-the-art campus, built exclusively for those ages 62+, segued with Oro Valley’s designation as the Most Livable Retirement Town in the West by Travel & Leisure magazine. The project holds another distinction: In 2025, the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care reported that new construction of independent living units constitutes less than 1% of inventory nationwide.
“You don’t see a lot of new builds like ours in senior living; many properties are acquisitions. This is a brand-new product to Tucson, which is a big asset. . .we are also locally governed and managed and that distinguishes La Posada and puts us in a unique position to serve seniors in the Oro Valley/Tucson area,” said Alexis Martinez, executive VP of La Posada at Pusch Ridge
Tucson’s Resort-Style Life Plan Community: A Continuum of Caring
The resort-style community is designed to meet the heightened holistic expectations of baby boomers and other retirees for social, emotional, physical, intellectual and philanthropic engagement across the aging spectrum.
“When we think about aging, what you need in your early 70s is much different than what you may need in your late 80s and 90s through becoming a centenarian. We have a solution for you depending on where you are on the arc of your aging journey. You can enjoy vibrant, resort-style living and activities that can pivot to more healthcentric services should you need it,” said La Posada CFO Chris Simon.
“We have a solution for you depending on where you are on the arc of your aging journey. You can enjoy vibrant, resortstyle living and activities that can pivot to more healthcentric services as you get older.”
– Chris Simon CFO
La Posada Communities
The personalized lifestyle begins with beautifully appointed independent living apartments that include integrated health and wellness services referred to as Posada Life At Home
The resort-style amenities include a dining room with chef-curated menu and a cafe/coffee bar; a library; multiple meeting and gathering spaces; an outdoor swimming pool and spa; a table tennis and gaming room; a dance floor and a parking garage with a charging station for electric vehicles. The Viva Center offers a modern fitness center, professional salon and an arts and crafts room with a kiln.
Phase II is in development and will complete the continuum of care with assisted living and mem-
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PHOTOS
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ory care, to be followed by single-family homes with garages.
“We like to say, ‘The right service at the right time.’ Our residents are able to live out their lives at the community they have grown to love and call home,” said Martinez.
“They have a network of friends and staff who care about them and when the need arises, we are able to support them through the continuum to provide the care they need, bringing peace of mind to them and their families.”
Residents access the Life Plan model through an entrance agreement for housing priced from $400,000 to $1 million (a significant portion of which is refundable to the resident’s estate when they leave) and a monthly service fee for living expenses.
The average monthly service fee for a single person is $6,500 and covers dining; utilities; weekly housekeeping; maintenance; routine transportation; availability of an RN navigator; and access to extensive campus amenities, classes and clubs. There is a second person fee for couples. Many residents are able to utilize long-term care policies as the need for care progresses.
The Nonprofit Difference— Community Takes Priority
“In Southern Arizona, there are very few nonprofit senior living communities with continuums. Most of them are only assisted living, only independent living, or only skilled nursing—and most of those are for-profit,” said Condit.
“As a nonprofit, we have a different philosophy: The money we make stays in the community for the betterment of the community. It isn’t distributed to shareholders. That is the No. 1 difference.”
La Posada’s tried-and-true business model was implemented in 1987 in Green Valley. The Green Valley campus has since expanded to serve about 750 residents through the continuum of care.
Residents reap multiple benefits from La Posada’s nonprofit reinvestment of excess funds in its communities, particularly the comfort and security of a “life lease” if they outlive their resources through no fault of their own.
“This is super powerful. Once you become a resident, we look at you as a partner and want to foster that through your lifetime. This guarantees that you are always going to have a home, with the caveat that you don’t gamble your money or gift it all away,” said Simon.
Condit said the nonprofit status also promotes a strategic outlook “less tied to market volatility, which provides longterm stability in the local economy.”
That strategy supports a growing regional workforce of 690+ including sales counselors, security, nurses, caregivers, dining staff, maintenance teams, fitness and activity staff, and leadership.
Additionally, La Posada Communities promote collaborations with city, county and state entities and private enterprise. Partners include Sundt Construction; Gensler, a global architecture and design firm; Ziegler Financing Corporation; U.S. Foods; Shamrock Farms; local healthcare organizations and many more. First responders such as Santa Rita and Golder Ranch Fire Districts are also key partners and Simon credits them with “respecting and caring for residents every day.”
The nurturing of relationships and outreach to build civic engagement and strengthen community identity is grounded in old-school wisdom, according to Condit.
“You have to really listen to your customers and engage with them. What people expected years ago is different than the generations of today.”
A Home for Life
La Posada Leadership Team Values Resident-Driven Excellence
La Posada at Pusch Ridge is dedicated to empowering active adults to thrive in body, mind and spirit.
With five decades of collective experience in the retirement care and hous-
Q:With the completion of independent living apartments and resort-style amenities at La Posada at Pusch Ridge, what is your vision for the community moving forward?
A:CONDIT: Our vision for La Posada at Pusch Ridge is to be a premier senior living community that provides exceptional services and innovative programs through meaningful relationships. We empower those we serve—and those who serve them—to experience their best lives. Our board has set forth a masterplan that will guide our development over the coming years as we remain attentive to the marketplace and the needs and interests of seniors.
Q:What is your leadership philosophy and how has it contributed to the success of La Posada?
A:CONDIT: Leadership of a growing senior living organization is a profound responsibility – one that demands integrity, caring and an unwavering commitment to those we serve. La Posada’s long history of success (which began nearly 39 years ago with La Posada at Green Valley) is built on the trust of our residents, their family members, and our team members. It is my responsibility to honor that legacy while guiding our organization to maintain a tradition of excellence in service
By Loni Nannini
ing industry, La Posada Communities President and CEO Joni Condit and Executive VP of Pusch Ridge Alexis Martinez prioritize a symbiotic, residentcentric culture in the newly-constructed
and innovation in programs. Our history has taught us the value of trust, and our future depends on communication, accountability and the courage to continually change and improve. My philosophy is pretty simple: when we care for people wholeheartedly and lead with purpose and vision, then growth becomes a natural outcome of our mission.
Q:How is La Posada at Pusch Ridge at the forefront of the senior housing and care industry?
A:MARTINEZ: I always go back to the fact that we are a nonprofit rooted here in Southern Arizona with local ownership and local management. In the grand scheme of things, we plan to become an integral member of the Oro Valley community, just like La Posada at Green Valley is. Also, we are very much in touch with our residents. Our programming is resident-driven, so that allows us to be very responsive to their wants and needs and we are always open to trying new ideas. And our senior leadership and staff are involved with Leading Age (a national association that serves as a “voice for aging” regarding advocacy and policies for older adults), and Arizona Leading Age which allows us to stay abreast of industry changes in legislation and proactively respond to changes in the aging demographics of our senior population.
Life Plan community in Oro Valley.
Through a Q & A, the duo provide insight into creating a “Home for Life” that meets—and exceeds—the expectations of today’s retirees.
Q:What practical advice can you give to seniors and their families who are exploring senior housing and care options?
A:MARTINEZ: We need to continue to advocate for seniors by educating them so they are wellequipped to make the right decisions for themselves. Making a move can be one of the hardest things that people do in their lives. Some people are moving from a house they have been in for 40+ years, and at La Posada we work to make it the smoothest transition possible. For many people, this will be their last home and we do everything we can to make it just right.
A:CONDIT: We have a great budget tool we use to help people to figure out how much they are spending in their house with utilities, food, housekeeping, maintenance and other expenses. They are often shocked by the total. The house is our biggest competition. People are sentimental about their homes and don’t want to leave them, and yet those who have moved in say, “This is the best decision I ever made. It is a gift to my kids but it is the best decision I ever made for myself.” Biz
Posada Communities
amazing views of the Catalina Mountains and our surrounding desert,” said Joni Condit, president and CEO of La Posada Communities.
To bring the vision to fruition, La Posada chose Gensler, an architecture, design and planning firm with offices in 56 locations globally. Gensler Phoenix Principal/Co-Managing Director Martha dePlazaola Abbott and Principal Jay Silverberg oversaw the project, which was designed to “echo the quiet beauty of the natural surroundings” while fostering camaraderie and connection.
“At its center lies a shared heart—
ing views toward the distant mountains, inviting residents into a deeper relationship with the landscape.”
The landscape dictated a creative approach to the design of the campus, according to Kevin Palmer, owner’s rep and director of facilities for La Posada at Pusch Ridge.
“The site is beautiful and challenging. We have 80 acres, which is great because it gives us privacy, but only a bit more than half of the property is buildable. We have our own unique little valley and some areas are protected by hills, so we were working with a smaller
with a private balcony or terrace—and 11 floor plan options.
Views are also a priority for the twostory central hub of living, dining and gathering areas—complete with extended terrace and event lawn—and the outdoor resort-style pool and adjacent Viva Center that includes fitness, an art studio, a salon spa, and game/meeting rooms.
“The plan weaves together indoor and outdoor spaces that encourage gathering, social activity, and everyday interaction, cultivating an elevated sense of belonging. These shared moments
because they are so invested and focused on resident satisfaction. It feels good to be part of that.”
– Ian McDowell VP & Regional Director Sundt
New Campus
and places help shape an environment that feels less like a facility and more like a true home,” said Silverberg.
In 2018, when La Posada was ready to begin construction, the Southern Arizona commercial and residential market was booming. No lumber subcontractor in Arizona was available to provide a firm price for a wood framed building, so the board put the project on hold. In 2020, when steel was fluctuating around the cost of lumber, La Posada made the decision to pivot to a steel and concrete structure for structural strength and sustainability, low maintenance, sound reduction and superior fire and termite resistance. Suddenly, the chosen general contractor decided to close his firm, but thankfully, everything fell into place when Sundt VP and Regional Director Ian McDowell contacted Condit. Headquartered in Tucson, Sundt has 13 offices nationwide.
“He said, ‘I heard you have a project with no builder, and I am a contractor looking for a project.’ I think we were meant to work together,” said Condit.
“If you want to build for longevity and overall quality, concrete and steel provide the highest quality. The majority of this building is cast-in-place concrete and signature elements like the lobby are made of steel. They really pulled out all the stops. When you walk in the lobby, the whole thing screams quality,” said McDowell.
A Chihuly-inspired chandelier and a horizontal fireplace adds natural elegance, and exterior accents of African stone veneer and iron create seamless outdoor-indoor transitions. Public art and sculptures such as The Beacon by Ray King inspire wonder throughout the campus. The hallways of each residential floor and building feature a different Arizona photographer’s work
selected by curator, Faye Urlacher of artstudio 101.
McDowell said attention to detail throughout the project elevates the resident experience.
“When you are building for someone, you always want to understand their motivation. It was really refreshing to work with La Posada because they are so invested and focused on resident satisfaction. It feels good to be part of that.”
Amenities that Inspire
Endless Options at La Posada at Pusch Ridge
By Loni Nannini
La Posada at Pusch Ridge is all about retirement possibilities—and transforming them into realities.
“We want to provide the opportunity for residents to either rediscover what makes them happy or to start to learn something new,” said Alexis Martinez, executive VP of La Posada at Pusch Ridge.
“We are able to take care of the mundane parts of adult life like housekeeping and cooking so they have more time for fun. We want to give them back the time to do things that are meaningful to them at this point in their lives.”
The life plan community for adults age 62+ provides an extensive array of comforts and conveniences to optimize every aspect of holistic health and well-being: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, financial and environmental.
Amenities—and relief from the less-desirable tasks of adulting—begin with one- or two-bedroom independent living apartments available in 11 floor plans, many of them with dens. Each apartment offers premium appliances, a full-sized kitchen, laundry room, and a private terrace or balcony.
“We have taken great care in trying to provide all the amenities of home. The apartments are well-appointed and there is a floor plan that will fit anyone’s wants or needs,” said Martinez.
Apartments serve as cozy, private bases from which to access the 350,000-square foot campus, hallmarked by thoughtful conveniences such as hotel-style suites to accommodate residents’ visiting guests.
“We like to remind residents that the entire community is an extension of their home beyond the walls of their apartments,” said Cindy Barbee, director of marketing for La Posada.
Home extends to the central “hearth” of the campus, comprising a dining room with chef-crafted meals and weekly specials; a cafe/coffee bar; two libraries with computer access; several public terraces; multiple meeting rooms and community spaces.
An open-air event lawn and sculpture garden that overlook the brilliant sunsets reflected across Pusch Ridge evolved with input from residents. Resident demand also resulted in rapid charging stations for electric vehicles in the 230-space covered garage. An
elected eight-member Resident Council serves as the “voice of residents” to La Posada management.
“The event lawn was originally going to be an indoor pool, but we decided the area would be better used as a central gathering space. The people who make decisions are here to listen to residents’ comments about what they want, then figure out if that is something we can do and implement it,” said La Posada at Pusch Ridge owner’s rep and Facilities Director Kevin Palmer.
Martinez said the outdoor, resort-style pool, which offers classes in water walking and water aerobics, is another resident favorite. Segregated swimming laps are also part of the pool. (A future indoor pool is planned).
Recreational classes are also available through Viva Center, which features an art and clay studio; a byappointment salon; and a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal training and classes in yoga, Tai Chi, mindful movement, Sit and Be Fit, and more. Walking and hiking trails and the nearby 130-mile Tucson Loop offer additional recreation opportunities.
Indoor activities include 15+ groups and classes, the majority of which are resident-driven.
“These residents are so active that they do their own thing and we just help them along. We have phone photography, a very active poker group, bridge, mahjong and other games, table tennis, a travel club, a book club, memoir writing, art and clay and much more,” said Martinez.
Volunteerism forges even stronger connections within the campus community through resident-led implementation of the La Posada employee scholarship fund and other initiatives.
Outreach to the larger Oro Valley and Tucson communities include meal preparation for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona, holiday donations to the Golder Ranch Fire District, and initiatives to support Youth On Their Own.
“The sense of community and camaraderie that our residents have created is just beautiful. They are truly building a place to call home,” Martinez said.
Cindy Barbee Director of Marketing La Posada Communities
From Left
Kevin Palmer
Facilities Director La Posada at Pusch Ridge
The La Posada Foundation
A Legacy of Caring
The La Posada Foundation is bringing philanthropy home, literally and figuratively, for seniors in Arizona.
“As a nonprofit, what we do differently is not only connected with the greater community and gives back to the community, but we also assure our residents that when they move into La Posada, they have a home for life,” said Joni Condit, president and CEO of La Posada Communities and its entities.
The guarantee is conditional: Residents can’t gamble or give their money away.
“If they simply outlive their resources, our Foundation is going to make up the difference and our staff will take care of them for life at the level of care they need. . .and that security and peace of mind for residents differentiates our campuses,” said Condit.
Also known as a “life lease,” the program is supported by the Foundation’s benevolence fund or “Good Neighbor Fund.” Typically it covers housing and living expenses, including dining, utilities and other needs for three to five residents annually at La Posada at Green Valley. Donations can also be directed toward the Foundation for La Posada at Pusch Ridge.
“These funds are a safety net that will step in and cover the costs if someone’s finances go south like so many did during the big recession in 2008,” said Si-
By Loni Nannini
mon Davis, board chair for La Posada Communities and affiliated entities.
Many find it especially comforting with life expectancy in the U.S. at an alltime high in 2024.
“Sometimes people simply live longer than anticipated. The life lease means that their chldren will not have to fund their parent’s last years or move them away from their friends,” said Condit.
Resident donations have enhanced the Green Valley campus significantly over the past 39 years, providing funds that support a chaplaincy; supplementation of arts programming and lifelong learning; an array of fitness and healthrelated initiatives; and even construction of new buildings.
“I think many people want to leave a legacy and give back, be it to La Posada or the greater community, and the Foundation has numerous funds you can donate to depending on your interests,” said Davis.
Donation methods include cash, stocks, bonds, IRA rollovers, endowments and other planned giving options.
“Many residents have given a gift annuity, which provides a monthly income until they pass away. Typically, about 50% of the gift is left for use by La Posada to make improvements to the campus. At our Green Valley campus, we are getting ready to build a new arts and crafts building that will be built with
cash donations and major gift annuities,” said Condit.
Other Foundation initiatives include clubs and projects that promote volunteerism, an employee holiday gift-giving project, and a no-strings-attached employee scholarship program that enables employees to invest in themselves. Condit said the scholarship program is extremely popular with residents. In fact, four Green Valley residents have directed endowment scholarships to La Posada at Pusch Ridge recipients to energize a similar program at the new campus.
“There is a great symbiosis here. Over the years, residents have given an unbelievable number of scholarships to the young people who work for us because they believe a better-educated person is a better citizen of the world and they talk about that.”
Collectively, the philanthropic ethos is a win-win for residents, employees and the greater Tucson and Green Valley communities.
“Residents can support causes on campus and in the community that matter to them, creating a sense of purpose. .and we impact the community in ways that go beyond older adults. Our impact includes an intergenerational connection,” said Condit.
