Retiring In Style

LAKE PLACID - More than 100 workers are tapping nails, hanging drywall, installing plumbing and finishing off electrical work in order to finish by January Lake Placid's $14 million newest retirement community.

The 70,000-square-foot facility will allow seniors to choose from four levels of health care.

Plans call for 26 townhomes and 129 independent living suites, assisted living suites, and Alzheimer's care suites or dementia units.

Windsor Lakeside Village is owned by George Houghton of George Houghton, Inc. This is the United Kingdom builder's first American project.

Exposed courtyards, some units with lake views, a fishing pier, individual bathrooms, room cleaning services, regular care giver visits, ala carte dining with a dietitian for special needs, transportation and a 24-hour-a-day concierge should all be available by January.

Peter Harris, the project's executive director, talked about the advantages of what will become Lake Placid's largest privately owned building -- on 7.8 acres off County Road 621 and the shores of Lake Huntley -- about a mile from downtown.

Harris said the company hopes to attract residents to centrally located Highlands County from all over Florida to "promote aging in the same place with security - where residents will not be uprooted and still know the environment."

The block constructed structure with metal roof, impact windows and a back-up generator, in case of major storms, will ensure that clients wouldn't have to leave the grounds in case of a major storm, said staffers.

Eighty employees, with a large percentage of caregivers, will be hired. Windsor Preferred Office Suites, at 10,000 square feet, will attract medical or professional offices and a deli to the property.

"Many will walk, drive, maintain their independence and still a have a lifestyle outside of the building," said Greg Newitt, project manager.

Eight townhomes at 1,100 square feet and garages are for sale, starting at $159,900 each. The assisted living units will measure 390 square feet, with bathrooms, refrigerators, sinks, microwave, cable television and phone.

Dementia units will measure 204 square feet and feature cable television and telephone and full security with pass codes needed at elevators and stairways for the completely segregated area.

Video conferencing plus private meeting and dining rooms will allow residents to interact better with families and other visitors.

"Some will be separated from their children -uprooted and retired - with siblings someplace else, said Harris. "We're trying to keep the continuity of families together."

For more information on any phase of the project, or future employment opportunities, call, 863-465-6584.