Moorings Park in Naples, Fla., transformed its 83-acre neighborhood by integrating new buildings into the existing landscape and creating an expansive yet intimate campus that encourages active lifestyles for its residents.

Architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman (New York) conducted a strategic master plan to reposition the campus. The project presented three main challenges: providing more housing choices that catered to the active adult lifestyle, introducing new wellness and fitness programs without disrupting the existing campus culture, and upgrading the campus’ overall image through selective demolition and replacement.

To accomplish these goals, residents were informed of the multi-phase repositioning and pending construction, and given assurance that the transition would be an expedient one.

The expansion includes 29 new residential lifestyle apartments, varying in size from 1,850 to 5,000 square feet, which overlook a new central lake. Four new buildings, including three residential apartment structures and a Center for Healthy Living, are positioned around the campus’ new town square, which includes a central fountain and seating areas for both lounging and active strolls.

The three-story, 37,000-square-foot Wellness Center offers residents customizable concierge medical services, including a medical clinic, rehab therapy, fitness, comprehensive spa, and common spaces for education and social activities.   

The cornerstone of the campus’ overall design and its new buildings is a combination of transparency and walkability. Design considerations were made for the scale of each building’s exterior and interior, the positioning of pathways and foot bridges, and residents’ proximity to the Wellness Center, Trio restaurant, outdoor terraces, and other common meeting spots. Additionally, expansive windows were introduced to all campus buildings, as well as open air pathways and balconies, to increase access to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

A new interiors palette features neutral colors, acoustical wood ceilings, carpet tiles, and furniture that is more accustomed to luxury hotels than senior living homes.

The project was awarded LEED Silver certification from the USGBC.

 

Project source list:

Project: Moorings Park
Location:  Naples, Fla.
Start of site work: October 2011
Start of construction: June 2011
End of construction:  May 2013
Area: 83 acres (3,615,480 square feet)
Design architect: Perkins Eastman
Architect of record: Burt Hill/Pollock Krieg Architects
Interior design:  Wegman Design Group