Features
Changing
Times
Amazing amenities await residents of many 55-plus communities
BY ALISON STANTON
Traditionally, 55-and-older communities are synonymous with bingo and golf cart parking. To say times have changed is probably the understatement of the year. These days, a number of 55-and-older communities around the state offer their residents a number of attractive and resortstyle amenities – everything from bistros and day spas to breweries and state-of-theart fitness centers. For example, the following 55-and-older communities are definitely part of the trend of providing residents an amenity-centric experience. From assisted living options to 55-and-older neighborhoods filled with single-family homes, these communities offer something for everyone – and plenty of activities and features:
Trilogy 55+ Communities Shea Homes offers four Trilogy communities that are 55 and older or all ages with 55-and-older neighborhoods. They are: Trilogy at Vistancia in Peoria; Encanterra in the San Tan Valley; Trilogy at Verde River in Rio Verde; and Wickenburg Ranch. “Today’s buyers are interested in resort clubs that feature more than a few treadmills, free weights, monthly game nights and a multi-use room,” says Hal Looney, Arizona president of Shea Homes Active
Lifestyle Communities. Today’s buyers are looking for a wellrounded approach when it comes to creating an edgy, fun lifestyle, he says. For example, all Trilogy communities feature a signature resort club, Looney says. “The club is designed to feel like an extension of your own home,” he says. Amenities at each community complement the surrounding area, Looney says, and usually feature a championship 18hole golf course, three or four restaurants – which include a signature restaurant led by an executive chef – a full bar and poolside dining, and cafés. Trilogy 55-and-older communities also include a resort pool, fitness and lap pools, a market place with gourmet and everyday grocery items plus locally-made gifts, a day spa, a culinary studio, a fitness center, outdoor sports courts with pickleball, bocce and tennis, and an event center. “We’ve also introduced culinary studios for cooking classes or private parties, wine education programs, and weekly classes and events that bring people together while educating them on art, culinary and sports, all in a spirited, joyful environment,” Looney says. For more information about Trilogy communities, call 1-855-321-5510 or visit arizonatrilogy.com.
Robson Resort Communities
The Grand Living Room at Encanterra in the San Tan Valley
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Robson has built a number of 55-andolder communities around the Valley and state, including PebbleCreek in Goodyear; SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch in Oracle; Robson Ranch Arizona in Eloy and Quail Creek in Green Valley.
The Club House at Encanterra and The Vault, a private wine dining experience, in the San Tan Valley (Photos special to LLAF)
While golf is definitely still a popular activity at each Robson Resort Community, Alina Hushka, senior vice president of marketing, says many other world-class amenities, activities and recreation options are available. “Amenities include resortstyle pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, gorgeous clubWithin the Ranch House Clubhouse, the houses, softball fields, creative arts centers, Ranch House Brewery is a huge hit, Hushka walking paths, dog parks, tennis and pick- says, and the in-house craft brews and a leball complexes, ballrooms/auditoriums, pizza station have already become popular and so much more,” Hushka says. with residents and visitors. Each Robson Resort Community also In addition, Hushka says, Robson Ranch offers more than 100 clubs, organizations, Arizona has expanded its Creative Arts Cenclasses and activities, Hushka says. ter by adding approximately 5,000 square “When designing active adult communities, we put ourselves in the mindset of our customers. Our goal is to create a community that embodies the classic favorites, while still incorporating innovation in everything we do,” she says. Every few years, The Ranch House patio at Robson Resort Communities Hushka says, new amenities are built at Robson’s 55-and- feet of space, giving additional room for older communities, based on the needs a variety of clubs. The center consists of a and wants of active adults. ceramics studio, art gallery, painting studio, “For example, SaddleBrooke Ranch just sewing and craft room, and a wood shop. opened the new Ranch House Clubhouse, “Increasingly, we are seeing the 55-plus featuring a gorgeous ballroom and audi- community becoming more interested in torium, private dining room, climate-con- living an active lifestyle, nurturing their trolled wine wall, outdoor terraces, as well well-being and enjoying life to the fullest,” as a U-shaped bar with views overlooking Hushka says. Communities...continued on page 14 the lake,” she says. www.LovinLife.com