AT A GLANCE
Repositioning
Independent Living
326,000sf
21.7 Acres
• 151 Independent Apartments
• 151 Independent Cottages (12 connected to main building)
• 28 Level IV rest home beds
The Willows at Worcester, located in the heart of an upscale residential neighborhood in Worcester, MA, offers a variety of independent living options, as well as skilled nursing care. With an existing structure containing a 28-bed Rest Home, the project included renovations and a large addition to provide a supplementary independent living apartments, attached cottages and detached cottages.
The master plan design is sensitive to the scale and atmosphere of the surrounding residential neighborhood by including a large buffer zone, single-family cottages adjacent to that buffer zone and limiting the height of the main building to match the original structure. Underground parking garages and individual cottage garages accommodate approximately two-thirds of the parking requirements for the campus allowing the site to maintain more of its original character.
Because of the grading complexities and re-use of an existing building, the administration and amenities were split between multiple levels and wings of the main building to accommodate dual entrances, yet are all linked together by a central courtyard containing gathering spaces, a fish pond and a grilling area. The campus includes two restaurants, as well as other amenities such as a hair salon & day spa, a pool & fitness center and gaming rooms including a professional golf simulator.
