Breaking an Age-Old Design Cliché
Littleton’s Balfour changed our minds about senior living design
Forget everything you associate with senior living centers: drab furniture, muted, monotone color schemes and unflattering fluorescent ceiling lighting. Balfour Senior Living has reimagined what these care facilities can achieve– and its refreshingly colorful and bright take on interior decorating might even have you envying your Nan and Pop’s new residency.
The history of design in assisted living hasn’t exactly been one that cues imagery of well thought out design and comfortability. But, in 2018 the Balfour management took a leap to create Littleton’s 75,000-square-foot property that not only looks on-trend, but also provides customer services like a 24/7 nursing staff and Alzheimer’s memory care specialists.
An emphasis on individuality and independence fueled Balfour’s mission to make the spaces visually appealing but still comfortable to live in. Founder and CEO of the revamped senior living facilities, Michael Schonbrun, knew the Jefferson County location was reflective of that philosophy.
“The Balfour at Littleton community incorporates all we have learned from nearly 20 years of developing and operating senior housing in Colorado,” said Schonbrun. “We’re excited to bring a new choice for quality senior living to this dynamic and vibrant Denver suburb.”
Each property has its own unique design story that plays off of the local community and artists. Littleton’s interior pays homage to the equestrian community with a derby farmhouse-chic look full of horse reins, saddles hanging on walls and truss ceilings. Some of the many amenities include: transportation services, a floral spa and salon, over 200 monthly programs to participate in and a variety of different dining options when staying in one of the 56 assisted living or 30 memory care units.
Co-Founder, Susan Juroe, expresses the importance of maintaining this image for their center and future developments to come.
“The feeling you get when entering a Balfour property is part of a layered story, evocative of the rich lives lived by our residents and their families,” said Juroe. “The entire theme, from the curated art to the custom textiles, feels traveled, educated, smart and stylish – a lifestyle that will continue while residing at Balfour.”
Balfour’s Littleton location joined as the fourth Colorado center alongside Riverfront Park, Stapleton and Louisville, and has sights set on their first expansion out-of-state in Ann Arbor, Michigan to open in 2019.
About Balfour Senior Living
Founded in 1997, Balfour Senior Living has received national and international recognition for its design and operations including awards from the Assisted Living Federation of America, Hospitality Design Magazine, the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Pacific Coast Builders Association. Currently, Balfour operates communities located in downtown Denver, Littleton, Louisville and Stapleton offering residents a full continuum of care with independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing care. Balfour's vision is to offer a state-of-the-art senior living community with comfortably elegant interior design, locally-inspired architecture, enhanced amenities and personalized health care services.
