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Hines partnerships start senior living projects in Heights, River Oaks areas

The Houston developer Hines has launched a senior living program to build projects in partnership with ‘best in class’ senior living operators across the southwestern United States. The first two are in the Heights and River Oaks areas.

The company formed joint venture partnerships with Tuscon-based Watermark Retirement Communities and Denver-based MorningStar Senior Living under which it will co-invest, co-develop and co-own each community. The land has been purchased for the first two projects, which target urban areas close to where seniors or their adult children live.

Munoz + Albin is the architect for both the projects.

After considering two or three locations, Watermark selected a site at 1231 W. 18th Street between T.C. Jester and Durham for its Houston debut. Watermark Heights Senior Living will rise seven stories with 223 independent living, assisted living and memory care units. It’s expected to draw residents from the Heights, Lazybrook, Timbergrove, Shady Acres and Garden Oaks.

Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year with opening planned in late 2021, adding to Watermark’s 59 communities in 21 states.

the Upper Kirby area, MorningStar at River Oaks Senior Living is on target to break ground on the site of a shuttered car dealership at 2315 Richmond Ave. in January. The project, consisting of 112 assisted living and memory care units, is projected to open in Sept. 2021.

Upon entering, residents and guests will get a sense of a vibrant community with people gathered in the bistro-like lounge, said Ken Jaeger, CEO and founder of MorningStar Senior Living. Amenities include a courtyard for walking, a sixth floor terrace and lounge with downtown views, an art room, a fitness and therapy room, beauty salon, massage room and five-star dining.

Rents are projected to range from about $5,400 for assisted living, and upward of $7,000 for memory care, Jaeger said. The units will range from 400 square feet to 850 square feet for a two-bedroom.

The project, serving the River Oaks, Upper Kirby, Montrose, West University and museum areas, will be the first in Texas for MorningStar, which operates 35 communities in nine states.