A “new kind” of retirement residence

BEACON HILL at EASTGATE OPENS NEW RETIREMENT LIVING OPTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON-THE-GO AND SEEK AN ACTIVE LIFE

Targeted to Retirees Who Are Independent and Desire a Lively, Dynamic Community

Retirement for today’s retirees is anything but “retiring.” With more time for traveling and pursuing interests, they want a community of like-minded individuals that offers a plethora of entertaining, educational and engaging activities.

With that focus, Beacon Hill at Eastgate designed a “new kind” of retirement residence for active, independent seniors who want amenities that support their way of life – a home base for travelers and for devotees of the bustling Grand Rapids social scene called The Vistas, a brand-new 67,000 square-foot residence.

Vistas is a spacious, brand-new building featuring 26 one- and two-bedroom homes with open floor plans full of natural light, sound dampening for privacy and dedicated space for socializing with neighbors. It carries forward Beacon Hill’s unique brand of living well in retirement, offering the amenities of the Beacon Hill campus that include four distinct restaurants with weekly and seasonal rotating menus, an on-site pool, wellness center, movie theater, game room, salon, chapel, and community garden. 

The Vistas success story is rooted in the shared work of city leaders like 3rd Ward Commissioners Senita Lenear and Nathaniel Moody, without whose advocacy this and the other $130M of investment into the city would not have been possible. Business partnerships with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and other member organizations, along with strategic partners like Rockford Construction and Ghafari Associates, helped facilitate the successful financing, construction, and selling of this beautiful residential building. And, the Beacon Hill Board of Trustees has been supportive throughout the whole process, leading the way with their visionary leadership in advancing the 62-year mission to support our community seniors.

According to Andrew Eckert, architecture manager with Ghafari Associates, the architecture firm that designed the new residence, “Vistas is a study in deliberate design with an emphasis on comfort. Ultimately, it focused on the quality of life for the residents – a meaningful place with a design that was intentional and well-conceived.”

Also debuting in the Vistas’ grand opening is the brand-new “Balance at Beacon Hill,” a fitness area dedicated to the health and wellness of its residents. Designed to incorporate physical, social and personal needs, the dedicated space includes areas for fitness, art and other creative expression. Offerings include an assortment of educational programs that focus on overall well-being such as strength and balance, fall prevention and healthy eating education.  

Also offered are:

• One-on-one evaluation sessions
• Full range of strength training equipment
• Indoor swimming pool & whirlpool
• Group activities:
  • Water aerobics
  • Tai chi
  • Chair exercise
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Balance training cardio aerobics

Eleven years ago, when Jeff Huegli, President & CEO of Beacon Hill at Eastgate, first opened new independent living residences at Beacon Hill, he envisioned an active, joyful residence where everyone felt welcome and could immediately observe the friendliness of the residents and the staff. “We provide our seniors the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful lifestyle, highlighted by easy, frequent interactions with fellow Beacon Hill residents as well as walking distance to conveniences such as shopping centers and restaurants – all nestled within Eastgate and adjacent to East Grand Rapids.”

On Beacon Hill’s campus are one acre community gardens that provide residents individual space for their own personal gardening and an opportunity to get to know their Eastgate neighbors who are also welcome to grow their favorite flowers, vegetables and plants.

Beacon Hill chefs use fresh ingredients from this garden every day during the growing season when preparing the wide variety of meals served at Beacon Hill. That yield is augmented by its pledge to obtain local, organic and seasonal produce from area farmers – all of which promotes a natural, regional diet utilizing practices that create a safer and healthier environment.

Beacon Hill’s 27-acre campus gives residents access to an abundance of outdoor spaces from the Community Garden to quiet benches ideal for sitting and visiting, a grassy area perfect for croquet or badminton, plus a pickleball court that will be opening later in the spring.

There are also gently winding paths among the well-manicured landscaping and tranquil water features with plenty of outdoor seating areas accessible from the courtyard walkways. Beacon Hill also welcomes furry family members and provides space for the four-legged ones and their caretakers to enjoy walks and time together.

Beacon Hill at Eastgate is home, family, and security, dedicated to engaging seniors in an active and fulfilling retirement. Its state-of-the-art campus is a Life Plan Retirement Community that offers several levels of care on one campus, including independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Beacon Hill integrates a more highly defined service model characterized by best practices in the areas of social and clinical services with excellence in hospitality.

Discover Your Best Life at Beacon Hill at Eastgate