Cape May Retirement Village


		Cape May Retirement Village / Wilmington, OH
		Master Planning / New Villas / Existing Villa Options / Campus Center


OWNER
Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services
1001 Kingsmill Parkway
Columbus, Ohio 43229

SCOPE/SIZE
Master Planning
Options for 27 Existing Villas
Campus Center
40 New Villas

CONSTRUCTION COST
$4,287,673 (to date)

CONTRACTOR
Mellott Construction LTD
Cortland, Ohio

COMPLETED
1999-ongoing

DESCRIPTION
One mile west of downtown Wilmington and five miles off I-71 lies Cape May, the newest OPRS-offered retirement community. OPRS bought it from Westover Senior Services in 1998 to provide a satellite community for nearby Mount Pleasant Retirement Village. OPRS purchased Cape May Retirement Village because of its Victorian charm and potential for independent healthcare expansion. The buildings looked great, but the existing villa floor plan designs encountered serious market resistance. In an effort of becoming more responsive to the market, an options/improvements plan was developed.

The 27 existing villa units bought by OPRS were at 50% occupancy. There was an obvious necessity for market stimulus; hence the birth of the retrofit options/improvements program. Prospective residents could improve their homes with porches, sunrooms, bay windows, foyers, and living room expansions among other features. An option to increase number of bedrooms and bathrooms was also included.

The Cape May campus center was appropriately designed in the Victorian style established by structures already on campus. It fulfills all the social and entertainment needs of independent retirees. This 3,171 s.f. building features a large community room highlighted by free-standing fireplace, wood deck overlooking the lake, activities area with computer terminals, exercise room, and large prep kitchen. Administrative and marketing offices also reside here.

Six independent Victorian villa plans are offered in duplex configurations. Square footages range from 1,242 s.f. to 1,622 s.f. Two- and three-bedroom versions are available with two bathrooms standard. Garages come in one-and-a-half or two cars. No two villas are alike at Cape May thanks to the extensive list of options available and the opportunity of customizing directly with the principal architect.