Urbane Renewal

From its people to its places, Judson is a community of continual renewal.

Consider Judson Park, for instance, where a newly designed floor plan for renovated two-bedroom apartments is maintaining square footage while adding functionality and flow. With a kitchen and great room on one side, and two bedrooms and two baths on the other, the new design feels spacious, airy and contemporary, while allowing options for customization.

Along with all-new appliances, showers, vanities, commode, floor coverings, and granite countertops, the renovations are intended to maintain a high level of aesthetic appeal. “Our customer base is evolving, and so are their expectations,” explains Sales Director Doug Berger. “They don’t believe that moving into a retirement community should be a step backward; they expect their amenities to remain at the same high level as they enjoyed in their homes. We manage our renovations in such a way that we can continue to meet those expectations.”

Another key update at the Park has been the removal of baseboard heating units, an original but ungainly feature that impaired access to the apartments’ balconies. With the heaters removed, the apartments’ sliding glass doors can be lowered to floor level, Doug explains. “Not only does that make the balcony far more accessible, but the new sliding glass doors really take advantage of one of the inherent benefits of our community, which is the views – of downtown Cleveland, the skyline of University Circle, or the wooded, rustic view of the campus itself.”

Both Doug and Sales Director Pam Trevis credit semi-retired architect and soon-to-be Judson Park resident Bill Blunden for providing the impetus behind the renovations; Bill’s design for his own apartment (see the accompanying story) served as “proof of concept” for many of the changes now being implemented. “Bill really helped us understand how we could do these renovations,” says Pam. “He guided us in a way that we wouldn’t have been able to go otherwise; he made clear for us the potential for renovating these spaces.”

Such collaboration is fundamental to Judson’s process, Pam adds. “The key point is, Judson listened to what Bill had to say, and I am so glad that we did. His insights will benefit everyone going forward, and we are all very fortunate to have him in our community.” (Scroll to the bottom of the article to RSVP and learn more about Judson Park’s upcoming open house.)

In nearby University Circle, Judson Manor is also in a state of renewal, where a long-term program of floor-by-floor renovations has revived historic charm while adding a touch of contemporary elegance.

Built in the early 1920s as a premier hotel in the heart of University Circle, the Manor is an indisputable architectural gem, from the soaring ceilings of its grand ground-floor lobby to the wood-paneled library on the building’s 10^th floor. But while its grandeur is undeniable, it turns out nobody wants to actually live in a museum. “It is really important to keep these apartments as contemporary as possible, with all the modern conveniences,” says Pam. “For many prospects, who may be coming from a home where they have lived for decades, the chance to start over with a clean, fresh slate is a big part of the attraction.”

When an independent-living floor is renovated, Pam explains, the space is completely gutted, creating 10 brand-new apartments. Among them are one bedroom/one-and-a-half bath units that check in at around 970 square feet and two bedroom/two bath units at around 2,000 square feet.

Standard features include quartz countertops and new cabinetry in the kitchen and bathrooms; walk-in showers with glass doors; new hardwood flooring for the common spaces and new carpets in the bedrooms; and in-suite washers and dryers. Sound-resistant construction minimizes noise, and each unit also has its own independent heating and cooling system, replacing outdated window air conditioners. The option to customize the space to one’s tastes – picking out fixtures, choosing colors, adding built-ins – is another plus, Pam says. “We want our residents to be able to tell their own stories, just as they did in their previous home.”

Currently, all the Manor’s independent living floors have been fully renovated except for the fifth; renovations to that floor will launch this summer.  The process relies on input from architects, interior designers, and residents themselves, says Pam. “This is my fourth renovation project, and each time we ask the residents for input on what works and what could be improved. Based on their feedback, we’ve done things like lowering the height of the overhead cabinets and creating dedicated pantries in the kitchens.”

At the same time, an 18-month renovation project is currently underway on the Terrace floor, home to the Manor’s assisted living apartments. Upgrades to the common spaces will come first, followed by sweeping improvements to the floor’s 26 individual apartment units, including new central heating and cooling, new windows, new flooring, and renovated bathrooms with large, accessible, zero-entry showers. “The project has required a lot of planning,” says Judson Manor vice president Julie Anderson, including the addition of numerous measures designed to maintain healthy air quality during construction. “We have been very thoughtful about what our assisted living residents want and what they need, and I am confident that that is what they will get when the project is complete.”

Judson is hosting open house tours this June!

We will be holding small group tours at Judson Park, on June 8th and Judson Manor, on June 15th. You choose what you would like to see and when! Experience the newly designed floorplans at each campus, combining pleasing aesthetics in a contemporary setting.

Join us at South Franklin Circle on June 10^th for an open house with small group tours! Experience the many home styles on our 90-acre campus, wonderfully nestled in the heart of Chagrin Falls. Our Resident Ambassadors will be there as well — as you have questions about living at South Franklin Circle, they will give you candid answers.