The great room has immediate access to a lush landscaped outdoor courtyard. New York design firm Pembrooke & Ives and local developer Trammel Crow collaborated with Balfour on the 138 unit building comprising of penthouses, swimming pool, theater and no significant purchase fees.
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A successful career as CEO of the Jewish National Hospital and the government nursing home regulator has not prepared Michael Schonbrun for the challenges of moving his then recently widowed mother, Madeline, from the New York City Family Apartment at a Seniors Residence. The lessons learned from this trip are the “origin story†behind the soon to be built Balfour at Palisades.
“Quality is our standard,†says Schonbrun, CEO of Balfour Senior Living, a collection of boutique living communities for seniors. “From my motherjoy of livingand a lifelong appreciation for the finer things in life have inspired us to meet her high standards in creating great communities and a way of life that thrives and delights our residents.
Founded 23 years ago, Balfour Senior Living is a Colorado-based company that started small with its design and is now expanding its luxury boutique footprint into East Coast markets. It currently has 11 locations – ten in Colorado and one in Michigan and its communities of Washington, DC and Brookline, MA are slated to deliver in 2023. “We’re not looking to be the biggest,†says Susan Juroe, co-founder and general counsel. “Our goal is to be the best and most admired in our class by creating unique environments that enrich the lives of the people who live and work there. We are also committed to providing our residents with a beautiful and fascinating destination where their friends and families can also enjoy the amenities and hospitality of Balfour.
The architecture of Balfour at Palisades was inspired by local art deco landmarks – the neighborhood Glen Echo Amusement Park, the MacArthur Theater, and glamorous residential buildings from that era such as the Kennedy-Warren. Balfour partnered with local developer Trammell Crow, award-winning architecture firm Perkins Eastman who brought stylized art deco design to life, and New York-based design firm Pembrooke and Ives who brought the best residential design experience and made them ideal collaborators for this project. project.
Balfour at Palisades will feature 138 apartments with a variety of floor plans, including studios, one and two bedrooms, one bedroom with dens, and one and two bedroom penthouse apartments. Of these, ten units are part of DC’s inclusionary zoning program and are subject to income restrictions. Residents will have the convenience of a range of services focused on their lifestyle and needs, from independent living to assisted living and memory care. Amenities include seasonally-inspired culinary offerings for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week at three restaurants, an indoor saltwater pool, sauna, fitness center and studio. yoga, hair salon, theater, library, bar, housekeeping and housekeeping services, valet parking for residents and their guests, reserved covered parking, rooftop access and a Tesla fleet with Balfour drivers to meet scheduled or spontaneous local transport needs.
Balfour at Palisades Community Spaces feature exceptional architecture, decor and art where future residents can proudly welcome their families and friends. The bar evokes the vibe of some of DC’s iconic clubs and restaurants.
Balfour’s model doesn’t have a significant “buy-in†fee, but instead charges monthly rent along with pay-per-view levels of care when or as needed. It’s a role model that forces Balfour to “earn your trust every day†and allow flexibility when moving or changing life circumstances. Additionally, couples can stay together with care provided in their apartment if needed.
For Michael Schonbrun and his partner Susan Juroe, residing in Georgetown for 20 years, Balfour represents a personal vocation. “We wanted to create places where residents can welcome their friends and families and have wonderful experiences together. The Palisades are designed to make life and engagement within and beyond our community easier. Residents can take advantage of everything the Palisades neighborhood has to offer – just steps from their front door – and everything the Washington, DC area has to offer. Another plus: Balfour accepts pets. Residents can move in with their pets, and it is common for some “animal-free†residents to adopt pets after they have settled in. Balfour in Palisades will feature an indoor off-leash pet park and a pet grooming station.
The “silver tsunami” is far from reaching its peak according to AARP and other human rights groups. Baby boomers (sorry, Millennials!) Continue to make their influence known in all kinds of ways. “To be honest, we designed Balfour for ourselves. And for Madeline, of course! Michael admits. “We have given some serious thought to what we would like and need to feel comfortable about, what it means to feel at home and to have that special place – it’s something that we are still working on. Susan adds, “We are also aware of the challenges people face as they age. Loneliness, depression and a lack of physical, mental and emotional stimulation are real dangers to health. At Balfour, we create communities where everyone can feel valued and welcome and are free to discover new interests and friendships.
Local architects Perkins Eastman took inspiration from the art deco buildings of the Palisades as well as large historic residential buildings in Washington, DC to create a design compatible with the neighborhood. Balfour at Palisades is slated to open in 2023.
Balfour at Palisades will be located at 4865 MacArthur Blvd NW, DC 20007 and is scheduled to open in 2023. The rental center address is 4418 MacArthur Blvd., NW. For more details or to schedule a meeting at their rental center, contact Eileen Alexander, General Manager,[email protected], 202.845.4856 or Cynthia McKee, pre-rental director,[email protected], 202.941.4617. For more information on Balfour Senior Living, visitbalfourcare.comor call 844.354.8877.  
