Ceremonial Groundbreaking Celebrates Unprecedented $201 Million Expansion
40 Years Later, Friendship Village Sunset Hills’ Future Looks Bright
The sweltering summer heat could not dampen the excitement in the air on Thursday, June 7 at Friendship Village Sunset Hills. Residents, board members, families, development partners and the Mayor of Sunset Hills all celebrated in anticipation of the campus expansion, to be completed in 2020.
A ceremonial groundbreaking showed the significance of the unprecedented expansion of the 52-acre campus of FV Services, Inc.’s Friendship Village Sunset Hills community—the largest financing of any senior living project in the country in the past five years.
“Today is a big day” said Terry Walsh, President and CEO of FV Services, Inc. “Our market has never seen a $201 million development covering the full spectrum of Life Care, including: independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing, and today we’re ready to execute on our 2020 Vision.”
76 new apartments, together comprising “The Devonshire,” will be introduced as a four-story complex. 18 new villas, some of which have already been built, will be erected at the southern end of the campus. In addition to these two large expansions, Fountain View Assisted Living will welcome the addition of 15 new Memory Care apartments and an all-new building with 144 new beds will provide a modern space for top-tier rehabilitation. The complete project includes a similar expansion on the Friendship Village Chesterfield campus.
“We’re making a bit more room with our new apartments, our state of the art Village Care Center and our expanded Memory Care unit,” added Walsh. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of Friendship Village. From the moment the first resident moved in in 1978 – it’s always been all about our residents.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was about more than looking to the future. It was a moment to reflect on an important milestone.
Founded in 1978, the Friendship Village Sunset Hills campus is celebrating its 40th anniversary of serving seniors in the St. Louis area. Special guests were among the crowd, including Resident Doris Brown, who was honored for her service on the Board. Her husband, Max Brown, was one of the original board members, and helped negotiate the purchase of the property from the family who owned a farm on the grounds.
Pictured left to right: Stacey Zerban, Village Care Center Administrator; Jeanette Bromeier, Village Care Center Resident; William Alberton, First Depositor in new expansion; Terry Walsh, President and CEO, FV Services, Inc.; Doris Brown, Resident Board Member; Nicole Summers, Fountain View Administrator; and Martha Kelly, Fountain View Resident. Photo courtesy of FV Services, Inc.
Also in attendance was Dr. Harry Brady, a resident and retired Ophthalmologist who provided insight into the needs of the community through a partnership with ReSpectacle, an online database of high-quality used glasses. This all-volunteer organization has refurbished more than 10,000 pairs of donated glasses. Groundbreaking event attendees brought their used glasses to donate and provide future vision to people in impoverished countries.
“I am so glad this day has come,” said Walsh. “We have a huge group of people who have helped us get to this point. Most importantly our board, who has faith in our project and what we’re doing. There are many retirees who want to be part of Friendship Village. We’re making more room to welcome more home.”
Terry Walsh, President and CEO, FV Services, Inc. and Doris Brown, Resident Board Member and participant of original 1978 Friendship Village Sunset Hills groundbreaking. Photo courtesy of FV Services, Inc.
About FV Services, Inc.
FV Services, Inc. is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization devoted to providing and promoting carefree senior living at their community campuses. FV Services, Inc. is the only certified provider of the Life Care program in the greater St. Louis Metro area, which allows residents to advance across every stage of life without worry of access or cost to needed medical care. FV Services is the parent company of FV At Home, bringing extensive experience and quality care of Friendship Village to private duty home care. The lives of more than 1,000 senior adults are enriched by a local, mission-driven Board of Directors, excellent teamwork and joyful living through the highest-quality services that promote life-long well-being. For more information about FV Services, Inc., please visit www.FriendshipVillageSTL.com
MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Higby | work (314) 880-5579 | cell (312) 320-5047 | ahigby@stealthcreative.com