Major retirement development set for Beamsville

Earlier this month, Lincoln Council approved the development of a 114-unit retirement residence, slated to cost $25 million dollars to build and bring to market.

Emshih Developments Inc. of Burlington purchased a portion of the former Beamsville Fairgrounds land from Gabriel DeSantis of Homes by DeSantis in the Lincoln Square community to develop a senior’s lifestyle community on Alyssa Drive in Beamsville.

“This is a wonderful announcement for Lincoln, one that demonstrates our commitment to providing a range of residential opportunities to our older adults,” said Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton.

“Beamsville and Lincoln as a whole are undergoing significant changes. As our population ages, so must our response. We are committed to ensuring a variety of housing types, affordability options and age friendly opportunities.”

The location will take advantage of the charming country atmosphere within the heart of the Niagara Escarpment and will be a welcome complement to the new Lincoln Square community, Easton added.

“We at Emshih Developments Inc. team would like to thank the Town of Lincoln for their gracious and eager support in helping to make this project move forward,” said Dr. Michael Shih, president of Emshih Developments.

With the large growing market for seniors housing and the relocation of retirees and seniors to the Niagara Peninsula from the surrounding Greater Toronto Areas, Shih is looking to provide a residence within close walking distance to amenities, walking trails and parks, the new Fleming Centre, public library and downtown Beamsville.

This 114-unit retirement residence and will offer an aging-in-place philosophy with independent seniors living and assisted living within the same facility.

For the enjoyment of residents, the residence will offer a large dining room area with views of scenic green space and a naturalized pond, activity programs for active seniors, fitness centre, chapel, theatre room, hairdressing salon, outdoor patio and meditative gardens, medical office and nursing care.

Behind the scenes nursing care – with 24-hour nursing staff – will be available should the need arise.

For those requiring additional support a 24-unit, fully staffed assisted living unit will be available to complete the aging-in-place philosophy.

Construction is expected to commence in the Fall of 2016, with doors opening for occupancy late-2018. The project also anticipates to employ 50-60 part-time and full-time positions.