Brookhaven at Lexington Breaks Ground on $26M Expansion Project

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LEXINGTON, MA-A continuing care retirement community has broken ground on a $26-million expansion project that will add 48 independent-living units, 11 assisted-care residences and amenities to its existing facility. James Freehling , executive director and president of Brookhaven at Lexington, tells GlobeSt.com that the expansion, which is expected to be completed next summer, will help meet a growing demand for continuing care for seniors in the area.

The existing facility, located at 1010 Waltham St., currently has 200 independent-care residences, nine-assisted care residences and 49 skilled-nursing care accommodations on site but the community has been at full occupancy since it opened its doors in 1989, Freehling says. "We have a lot of people on our waiting list." Approximately 90% of the new units have already been reserved.

The expansion plans also call for the construction of a parking garage, pool and wellness building along with renovations of common areas. Freehling says although the expansion will add more retirement units to the 26-acre property, it will not fully meet aging baby boomers' demand for retirement lifestyle communities.

Nearly $36 million in bond and construction financing was secured for the project by Hartford, CT-based RLS LLC, which specializes in continued care retirement communities. A portion of that funding will be used to pay off existing debt.

RLS will serve as the project's developer to coordinate financing, construction and planning for Brookhaven at Lexington's sponsor, Symmes Life Care Inc., a nonprofit corporation. The community offers one- and two-bedroom apartment and patio homes along with personalized long- and short-term healthcare to residents. Investment bank Herbert J. Sims & Co. Inc. handled the bond offering.