April 29, 2009 - The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 50+ Housing Council announced the winners for its 2009 Best of 50+ Housing Awards, which honor excellence and innovation in the design, development and marketing of housing for older consumers. The annual awards program, held during the Building for Boomers and Beyond: 50+ Housing Symposium, showcases the latest trends in housing for the mature market.
“This year’s winners incorporated a high level of quality and lifestyle specific amenities to their projects,” said Pat Kelley, a St. Louis builder and 2009 chair of NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council. “Buyers and residents in this economic climate need to feel that their home purchase is going to provide exactly what will make their lives easy and satisfying. This year’s entrants stepped up to the plate and supplied competitive and attractive projects for the 50+ market.”
Among the honorees were two winning developments that featured designs and amenities, attuned to the needs and wants of today’s 50+ resident. Entries represented a diverse range of projects including everything from a community clubhouse with stunning Rocky Mountain views to a luxury continuing care setting in Japan.
Sun City Palace Tsukaguchi, in Osaka, Japan, won the Gold award for Best Large Continuing Care Residential Community, as well as an Innovation award. The community is made up of three towers, housing a total of 760 units, linked at garden level by a circulation promenade surrounding a landscaped courtyard to provide access to community amenities. Integrating interior and exterior design, elegantly detailed lounge spaces overlap the promenade area, offering both garden views and seating areas to rest and socialize. With its independent living area adjoined to a nursing care center, the community allows flexibility and convenience for couples to age in place, even if one requires additional care. Offerings such as free shuttles, large community dining areas, exercise rooms and spas with Japanese soaking tubs, a tea lounge, library, and performance hall are just some of the many highlights Sun City Palace offers residents.
Heritage at Todd Creek, located within minutes of Denver, Colo., took the Gold award for Best Clubhouse at an Active Adult Community. This community comprised of single family attached and detached homes in the suburb of Thornton, features a resort style clubhouse with every activity on one level. The clubhouse is placed on a hilltop to give residents optimum views of the 18-hole golf course and the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Each wing of the clubhouse, branching from the main lobby, has a different activity theme making it easy for residents to navigate. Wellness and community interaction is the central focus with amenities such as game and computer rooms, fitness center, indoor pool, aerobics room, library, grand ballroom, restaurant and lounge, and pro shop. Beyond the clubhouse, tennis courts, walking trails, and an outdoor pool promote a continuous active lifestyle.
There were 41 projects that received a gold award and 39 silver winners. View the complete list of this year’s gold winners here.
