$5.2 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT UNDERWAY AT BLOOMINGTON SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

Friendship Village of Bloomington has broken ground and is undergoing a $5.2 million renovation project that focuses on enhancing dining experiences for residents. The project at the senior living community includes the creation of a second dining venue, a major kitchen expansion, adding a wood stone pizza oven and many other upgrades.

“The dining experience is one of the biggest considerations for people choosing to live at a retirement community,” says Pauline Drake, marketing director at Friendship Village. “Today’s seniors and the wave of Baby Boomers entering their retirement years want greater options, variety and more ambience, and this is what we’ll have.”

The renovations will better position the community to modern seniors and cater to an emerging group who are more adventurous in their tastes. The project includes a complete remodeling of the formal dining room, which will feature table service and restaurant-style entrees. An additional chef will help create new menus and include more options such as steak and seafood. The new dining venue will be a bistro concept, a more casual setting serving à la carte fare and more takeout options. It includes a wood stone gas-fired pizza oven. The kitchen expansion will provide high-end gourmet equipment, more prep areas and storage for fresh meats and produce.

“Our formal dining room, the menu and overall experience will be restaurant-quality with made-to-order food,” says Les Johnson, culinary director at Friendship Village. “The bistro is designed for those who sometimes want a more casual setting, a happy hour setting, or for people who are busy and on the move.”

“The focus is on resident-centered design that enhances quality of life,” says Drake. “We’re excited to be on the leading edge of trends and shifts in offerings and amenities that we’re seeing in senior living.”

Tremain Architects and Planners, based in Minneapolis, designed the areas to be renovated. The project is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2014 or early 2015.