The Spires at Berry College
Rome, GA
Spires at Berry College
Project Information
Location: Rome, GA
Client: Lavender Mountain Senior Living
Development Advisor: Greenbrier Development
Architect: THW Design
Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie
Product Type: CCRC / Life Plan Community
Units: 277 (170 IL, 36 MC, 35 SN, & 36 AL)
PROJECT AWARDS
2021 EFA Design Showcase
Award of Merit
2020 SHN Architecture & Design Awards
Best CCRC Design
About the Design
The Spires at Berry College is leading the way for multi-generational communities offering a new, exceptional experience for senior living residents with the first CCRC / Life Plan community in northwest Georgia and the first built on a college campus. Referred to by locals as “Berry National Park” for the scenic beauty that spans 24 square miles outside of Rome, GA, a one-third mile walking trail connects The Spires to Berry College and creates a diverse community that serves senior residents, college students, and locals alike.
Intergenerational interaction is an integral part of The Spires and has led to student employment and volunteer opportunities that foster engagement among seniors and students. Dual-use, walkable amenities on both The Spires and Berry College’s campus further emphasize the inclusivity of the community with residents that engage in lectures at the university and students who make use of The Spires’ various lounge and dining areas for studying. Currently, there are 33 students employed at The Spires, and in addition, many students have enjoyed the benefits of career counseling, leadership, and mentoring that the residents provide. In tandem, the residents, some former Berry College alumni and professors, have engaged in lifelong learning opportunities as well as enjoyed the vitality of interaction with the students.
The continuum of care begins with 170 Independent Living residences, including 26 free-standing cottages, a 17-unit lodge, and 127 apartments. Magnolia Place offers Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing/Short Term Rehabilitation suites. The Spires provides a collection of premier amenity experiences that include dining for every occasion, high-end lounge with serving bar, comprehensive wellness center and spa, full-service salon, and a staffed in-house health clinic that offers physical therapy and exams. Endorsed by the City of Rome as welcoming a ‘dynamic group of residents,’ The Spires had only 35 units still available a year before completion and is currently more than 70% reserved and occupied.