West Seattle development: Aegis buys Life Care Center site

| Development | West Seattle news

Almost a year has passed since Life Care Center announced it would close its nursing home at 47th/Admiral, and we finally know a bit about the 1 1/2-acre site’s future, the source of much speculation and more than a few questions. For some weeks, the real-estate listing has had the notation “pending” – as in “sale pending” – but there’s no public information until the sale closes, so we’ve just kept watching public records. Then a WSB reader pointed us to a recent magazine interview in which the CEO of Redmond-headquartered Aegis Living mentioned the company had property in West Seattle. Today, a company spokesperson confirmed that Aegis “has the property under contract.” For further details on their plan – whether renovation or new construction – we’re awaiting an interview with CEO Dwayne Clark later this month; no applications are in city records yet. Aegis Living has 14 locations in the Puget Sound area, in addition to 15 in California and one in Nevada, and describes itself as “a leader in assisted living and memory care.”

Gatewood mom November 6, 2013 (5:38 pm)

FYI. Aegis is spelled with a diacritical mark over the A to change the pronunciation from “ee gis” to “age is”.

WSB November 6, 2013 (5:52 pm)

Aside from their logo, in all other references on their website, the mark is not used, so you won’t be seeing it here. We go to the extra length for the accented e, for example, in some common words like café, but not going to do it in this case, since most of their materials don’t even use it. Thanks – Tracy

Nichole November 6, 2013 (5:44 pm)

Hmmm, we already have 3 private pay assisted living facilities in west Seattle not accepting any medicaid. One continuing care community again private pay. 2 of these assisted livings have showed such poor occupancy and financials Merrill Gardens lost management of ( now emeritus) The Kenney is also in financial flux looking for new sponsor (owner) Aegis really thinks they can throw their hat in the ring?

Nichole November 6, 2013 (5:51 pm)

Ok, so we have 3 Private Pay only Assisted Living Facilities in West Seattle already. 2 of which have shown such poor financials and occupancy that Merrill Gardens lost management of to Emeritus. We have The Kenney, Private Pay: skilled nursing, memory care, assisted and independent living campus in search of a new “sponsor” (owner). Yet, Aegis thinks West Seattle has enough private pay Seniors looking to leave their homes at the price of $3500 plus a month Private Pay to fill more assisted living apts? Really? We still have less then 80 Medicaid beds in West Seattle and only those thanks to Park West Skilled Care…. What’s wrong with this picture?

Gatewood mom November 6, 2013 (6:42 pm)

Maybe on the web text but look at logo at the very top. And it is all over brochures etc. I have some logo items, books and T-shirts from when I worked for Dwayne.

Believe me it makes a difference to him.

NativetoSeattle November 6, 2013 (8:40 pm)

As always, thank you for the great information, WSB. Finding quality assisted care is not easy, and I will bet they will meet their capacity.
If Aegis doesn’t use the mark throughout their own website, there’s absolutely no reason that WSB should spend extra time including it. Take one quick glance at their main page & you will see it published more often than not without the diacritical mark.
If it means so much to him, it’s not coming across in their own marketing.

clementine November 6, 2013 (11:44 pm)

Thank you WSB for the update. I live nearby and having been watching for updates as well. I am happy to see an assisted living facility possibly going in there instead of row houses or townhomes.

Gatewood mom November 7, 2013 (7:09 am)

Lack of mark on the website is due to search engines not recognizing the word.
All other other places he is a stickler for it.

miws November 7, 2013 (7:35 am)

Mygod, if a diacritical mark over the “A” in the name is Dwayne Clark’s biggest worry….. *facepalm*

Mike

ACG November 7, 2013 (1:30 pm)

Ha! Good one, Mike!

BJ November 7, 2013 (3:28 pm)

Second that Mike/ACG!

Kathleen November 7, 2013 (3:44 pm)

Mike made the best comment yet. Seriously, Gatewood mom? That is all you have to say on this? I for one am happy they are possibly coming in, but I totally respect the posts about the private pay. As someone who recently lost my mom to Alz, I have toured about every memory care place around. The cost, at least for memory care, is more like 6K-8K a month, and in many cases over 10K a month. That said, families need choices. Aegis was one of the “good ones” that I looked at. Welcome.

claire November 8, 2013 (3:56 pm)

as for the rep of aegis, when my parents need memory care, I was given 15 care centers to check out, by highline. out of that, 2 were aegis memory care. we picked one of them and for 3 years my parents had the best care a family could ask for. food was well planned out, entertainment was plentiful, and they made you want to come and visit, and have fun with you parents.
I look forward to them coming to west seattle.

G November 9, 2013 (12:47 pm)

Thanks Claire, the one post with some actually pertinent, helpful information.

Rufus November 14, 2013 (12:22 pm)

A welcome resource for those of us who’d like to stay in the community, have no children or spouses to watch over us and know that sometime in the future we will no doubt need help.

Informed Person November 18, 2013 (8:01 am)

To those thinking that the sale of 36 of the Merrill Gardens Communities was because of poor financials, you may want to get your facts straight. When large companies sell it is for profit. When the largest Assited Living Company in the nation buys 36 well run and very successful not to mention good reputations communities it is because they are doing WELL. As a company Merrill Gardens held the highest overall company occupancy for several months the past 18 months across the nation. That is because the staff and teams that work in the communities are passionate about what they do for those that choose to live within those communities each day. It is because those people are deeply moved to work in this industry and do a fantastic job at it. These staff members become an additional family unit for the residents. Nothing has changed for those communities that are now Emeritus. It is simply the name. They provide amazing care, have beautiful communities, wonderful staff and welcome families every day to participate and enjoy the environment. As for the occupancy at these communities… my neighbor is on a waiting list for a 1 bedroom right now and is ready to move once one opens. That doesn’t sound like they are desparate to me. I have done my research and talked to several employees at both companies.

Sorry, comment time is over.