The Weitz Co.'s Southwest Division has broken ground on the "The Legacy," which will bring an added 41 assisted-living apartments in four floor plans to the 397,700-sf Heritage Tradition project. Clay Wells, Weitz's business development manager, tells GlobeSt.com that the addition is the second at the 19303 N. New Tradition Rd. independent living community within the last few years.

Wells says the $4.4-million, two-story project will deliver by August 2004. The Ryerson Co. of Phoenix is the developer and owner of the facility, designed by Todd & Associates, also of Phoenix.

The Legacy will be built adjacent to the Heritage Tradition, a $28.6-million, 397,700-sf, four-story facility on 11.1 acres. The development contains 228 independent living units ranging in size from 800 sf to 1,500 sf. The upscale project was built by St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Cos.

The facility, which opened in 2001, offers a full-service dining room, health club, billiards room, craft room, beauty shop, library and computer-learning centers. Care stations will be located on both floors of the building to provide assisted living services. The exterior will feature a secure garden courtyard accented with a trellis and garden plantings with a central water feature located along a landscaped courtyard linking the Heritage Tradition and the Heritage Legacy.