THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511280124
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Seniors have a new community to consider when looking for a home.
After a year in construction, on Friday morning the Cromwell House is scheduled to open at 114 Cromwell Parkway near Wards Corner. The $7 million four-floor structure contains 206 rental units, 184 one-bedroom apartments and 22 two-bedroom apartments. Amenities include finely landscaped grounds, an activities room with a full kitchen, a library and TV lounge, an outdoor patio and a rose garden.
More than a dozen seniors are expected to move in over the weekend.
``I'm looking forward to some companionship with people my own age,'' said Lucille Ransom, a 77-year-old widow who will move in Saturday after living in Hampton for six years. ``I'm still very independent, but now I can be closer to my family here in Norfolk.''
The complex is exclusively for ``active seniors'' age 55 and over who do not require assisted living. Social gatherings, bingo, cards, educational seminars and entertainment outings will be part of the lifestyle.
``We're encouraging residents to come out, mingle and enjoy their neighbors,'' said Denise Keller, Cromwell House's manager.
The residence targets people of moderate means. A resident's gross income cannot exceed $16,740 for a family of one or $19,140 for a family of two. One-bedroom units rent for $413 a month, two bedrooms for $487. City water, sewer and real estate taxes are included.
``We're helping provide affordable housing for people of medium income,'' said John Wright, vice president of Ripley-Wright Associates Ltd. of Virginia Beach, the builder and owner of Cromwell House in a limited partnership with Tidewater Westminster Homes Inc. and SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners of California. ``The graying market is getting larger and larger, and we see a need for affordable housing for people who don't want to have to cut the grass and paint the house.''
Although specifically designed for active seniors, there are accommodations that appeal to most people in their later years, including two emergency pull cords in each room, hand rails in the bathrooms and halls, three elevators, and a management or security staff person on site 24 hours a day. The building's doors are electronically controlled and accessed by residents and guests by using a code.
This marks the first seniors' rental property that Ripley-Wright has built. Tidewater Westminster Homes Inc., a non-profit organization that is operated in conjunction with the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Virginia, is providing a ``good community base,'' Wright said. Church volunteers will provide an array of resident services and programs.
The structure itself is a transitional design, a bright and friendly blend of contemporary and traditional architecture. Irwin Kroskin of the Kroskin Design Group of Norfolk was the architect.
``This is one of the nicest seniors' homes I've been in,'' said Mary Hatfield, a Bayview resident who plans to move to Cromwell House in the next several months. ``They have laundry rooms on every floor.''
Wright said that he expects the Cromwell House to reach full occupancy within one year. He noted that the site's centralized location to shopping areas, churches, hospitals and downtown are among the attractions but that demographics also make it a good risk.
``We see the population aging more and more,'' Wright explained. ``We follow market trends, and there's a demand for this type of housing. Norfolk is a fairly aged city. Our entrepreneurial spirit picks up on that.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
The Cromwell House, at 114 Cromwell Parkway near Wards Corner, is
scheduled to open Friday morning.
by CNB