Locally owned and operated, Ottawa’s newest seniors’ residence, Greystone Village Retirement, is the fulfilment of a dream for the four people who designed and built it.

The four partners, Marc Boulianne, Daniel and Richard Lemay and Jennifer Martel, with well over half a century of experience in the field among them, worked together to ensure that beauty and practicality have been amalgamated to make Greystone a place where seniors are happy, safe and as independent as they want to be.

“Our building is truly unlike any other residence in Ottawa,” says Martel, a co-owner and the general manager. “We have really tried to provide something for everyone. We’ve put our hearts into it to make it as perfect as possible.”

Because the partners have had so much experience in the industry, they have incorporated the best ideas from other projects and avoided those that were not as successful, she points out. Such design details as individual climate control that allows residents to keep their unit at the temperature they prefer at any time of year or walk-in showers with transferable benches to suit individual needs are among the many aspects focused on personal choice.

Safety, along with comfort, is another major concern. The snowmelt system at the front door, for example, eliminates any worry about slipping or falling on ice. Medical professionals on site provide for health care needs, while a café, a pub, lounges and other communal spaces offer plenty of opportunities for residents to enjoy each other’s company.

“We chose to give up two floors of rental space to provide common areas,” says Martel. “We want to encourage people to maintain their independence and have friends and family visit. Residents can entertain whenever they want because the entire building is an extension of the suite they are living in.”

Personal touches are also front and centre. For example, Martel selected every one of the many pieces of art and chose many fabrics and other decor items. She and Boulianne selected all the furniture around the residence.

“We sat in and tested every chair to ensure that they were not only beautiful but comfortable too,” she says. “We tested every table to make sure that they were sturdy and that the quality would last. Marc and I hand-picked the grand piano ourselves after visiting several stores in Ottawa to ensure we were getting a piano that is special.”

The special note continues with a wide variety of activities and three levels of support in terms of care. Further levels beyond the current independent, supported and assisted living will be added in accordance with resident requirements.

Greystone Village Retirement, which will be ready for occupancy on April 1, is now taking reservations and suites are filling fast. For more information, to view Greystone Village Retirement or to learn more about early reservation incentives, visit www.greystoneretirement.ca or call 613-234-2000.

Ottawa Citizen article, Feb 10, 2020