Move-in day is coming up at The Stafford

New ‘boutique’ retirement living facility opens soon

By Barb Randall

The Lake Oswego Review, Jan 24, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Vern Uyetake / Lake Oswego Review

Alexander Ben-Israel, executive director of The Stafford, admires the view from a balcony of a unit in the soon-to-open retirement living center. About one third of the 93 units have been reserved to date.

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From the 56 underground parking spaces, complete with carwash and detail shop, to the pastoral vistas seen from the private rooftop garden terraces, Avamere’s The Stafford is everything you would expect a “boutique retirement community” to be, and more.

Scheduled to open Wednesday, Feb. 13 — with residents ready to move in that day — construction crews are completing the final tasks on the punch lists.

“The Stafford will change people’s idea of retirement living,” said Alexander Ben-Israel, Executive Director of The Stafford. “I get a tingling in my fingers. I am so pleased with our facility. It is fascinating to me. It is exactly as I had in mind. We are building a home that people will enjoy.”

He has watched the $30 million facility grow from the ground up and is looking forward to helping residents settle into their new home.

According to Elizabeth Conrad, operations director and marketing sales director, about one-third of the 93 units have been reserved.

“We received several deposits last week and a few more this week,” she said. “The hot sizes seem to be the studio and the large two-bedroom units. The one-bedroom roof-top garden units have been popular, too.”

A 12-unit assisted living section will open in April.

Residents have the choice of 33 different floor plans for apartment homes ranging in size from studios to two-bedroom suites. All are fully equipped with appliances including a washer and dryer, separate heating and air conditioning units, emergency call system, balconies or patios and some have gas fireplaces. All have one key feature of which Ben-Israel is particularly pleased: A unique view from every window.

Ben-Israel said the interior designer for the project was specifically hired because of his experience with resorts and hotels projects. Avamere wanted the center to have the feel of a resort rather than an industrial care center.

“This is everything they deserve after working so hard all their younger years,” he said.

Warm-toned Tuscan gold paint, elegant carpets and dark wood trim are used throughout the three-story center. Hallways and entries are laid with either hardwood floors or lush carpets, which carry over into the apartments and compliment the slab granite counters and fixtures handsomely.

Residents at The Stafford don’t have to stay in their apartments to enjoy luxury and Old World charm, which abounds from top to bottom in the facility.

“Life today is about more than being warm and comfy. How do you interact with your environment? You want a home that you feel good inviting people to come spend time with you,” said Ben-Israel.

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