The city of Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and by 2040 the older adult population (65-plus) is expected to comprise nearly one-fifth of the Central Texas population, according to the Aging Services Council of Central Texas. To meet the increasing demand for independent senior living apartments, Buckner Villas, a faith-based senior living community in North Austin, recently completed its $29.8 million expansion and renovation project. The expansion project added 69 one- and two-bedroom apartment homes to its GreenRidge independent living area of the community, as well as 70 underground parking spaces. In addition, common areas were renovated to cater to current and future residents’ needs, including enlarging the dining room, extending the bistro, adding a theater, broadening the salon and the spa, building a larger meeting space, as well as refreshing décor and interior design throughout. By increasing the independent living housing and amenities, the community will have the opportunity to serve up to 138 additional seniors.

“We’ve had a waiting list at GreenRidge for a while now, and we are elated to accommodate more seniors at Buckner Villas,” said Doyle Antle, executive director. “New residents have already started moving in and are looking forward to living a lively lifestyle with our current and new amenities. I know the theater and the spa and salon will be popular with residents. This was nearly a two-year project, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. Current residents have already used some of the updated areas including the ballroom for church services, and we know the new residents will be pleased with what we offer at Buckner Villas. We needed to plan for the future, and this helps us grow with the Austin metro area. Being able to serve an additional 138 seniors is a blessing, and it shows that more older adults are willing to move to an independent living apartment at a senior living community and still keep their active lifestyles.”

“Austin is growing rapidly, and we want to provide for seniors now and the baby boomers who will soon enter the senior living market,” said Charlie Wilson, senior vice president for Buckner Retirement Services. “We are seeing more seniors moving to Texas to retire, especially in Austin, so we are proud to give them a safe and updated place to call home. We really took what the residents wanted and needed into consideration when doing this project. We not only follow what is happening with the city, but what seniors request as well. We are building a future for them, and we realize it’s important to get their input. The new common areas and amenities are fantastic, and this expansion wouldn’t have been possible without our partners Hill and Wilkinson General Contractors, Barbara J. Vessels Interiors Inc., and D2 Architecture.”