"The developer felt the area was a great location, with access to interstates 55 and 355," Keith Dafcik, SVP with McShane, tells GlobeSt.com. "The demographics supported the development in that area."

The two-story, 44,400-square-foot Memory Care facility offers units ranging in size from 224 to 343 square feet with private half-bath, and currently has five residents. Catered toward individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, the design integrated life skills stations and Snozelen rooms, which provide soothing and stimulating sensory experiences with colors, scents, lighting and sound effects. The building also offers spa retreats, on-site podiatry, dentistry, neuropsychology physician services and 24-hour nursing care.

"For the Memory Care facility, the safety and security of patients was very important," Dafcik says. "These types of facilities are more of a unique project, and we're seeing more people do or contemplate doing separate facilities like this." Special features include a courtyard in the middle of the facility, so patients can go outside without the fear that they would wander off.

Work is expected to complete this fall on the second building in the development, a 361,000-square-foot, three-story independent and assisted living apartment building. This portion of the project is expected to open in January. Eppstein Uhen Architects Inc. provided architectural design services for the development.

Anja Rogers, SVP with Senior Star Living, tells GlobeSt.com rental rates at the development range from $2,100 to $5,800 per month, depending on location of the unit and level of care associated. Rates include several meals a day, scheduled transportation, activities, computer centers and housekeeping, and residents will have access to three libraries, a health care area, Internet cafes, a hair salon, two dining areas and an indoor pool. The 29-acre property will also offer 110 underground parking spaces, landscaping, walking paths and outdoor seating and gathering areas.