The properties range from 126 units and 203 units and arelocated in the cities of Rohnert Park, Fremont, Vacaville, Manteca,Sonoma and Vallejo. The buildings are all two- and three-story woodframe buildings containing studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Asource at Merrill Gardens tells GlobeSt.com the properties all arestable, but did not provide an overall occupancy.

Merrill Gardens is owned by the R.D. Merrill Co. The companyentered the senior housing market 12 years ago with one communityin Seattle. With this acquisition, the 2,700-employee company nowcontrols 8,741 units in 70 communities in 12 states, including 15in California. The company posted revenues of $159 million in 2004,making it one of the largest privately held seniors housing companyin the US and the largest operator of senior housing inWashington.

Merrill Gardens president Bill Pettit says his company continuesto seek out additional acquisitions. It is focusing its growthinitiative on the West Coast, particularly Washington andCalifornia, where nearly half of its properties are located.