WILTON — Brooklyn-based developers The Markstone Group have proposed construction of an age 55-plus senior housing community on Route 50 in Wilton.
The community would have 390 units across three buildings at 4029 Route 50, according to minutes from the Town of Wilton Planning Board’s January meeting. The location is currently occupied by The Christmas Gift Shop.
Two of the buildings would be L-shaped and approximately 39,000 square feet, with a third, longer building of approximately 42,000 square feet set back from the other two. The buildings would each be four stories and have 130 units, according to the meeting minutes.
The project would be Markstone’s second senior living community in the Capital Region. Hamilton Parc, another adult living community, currently is under construction in Guilderland. Jacob Freund, COO of The Markstone Group, said on Monday that the company was drawn to the area after seeing a need for such facilities.
“We researched and we saw there’s a big, big need for quality senior living, so we threw ourselves into the market,” said Freund. “There’s nothing built that’s affordable, nice, and up-to-date, with amenities, services, the whole nine yards. That’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re trying to bring a product to the market that’s going to be affordable and beautiful.”
The group is proposing indoor amenities in the third building, including an exercise room, meeting rooms, game rooms, and a kitchenette. They have also proposed amenities such as basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts, as well as a putting green, community gardens, and a dog park, according to the meeting minutes.
Rent prices have not yet been determined, with Freund saying Monday the company is still going through the entitlement process. The community is proposed to have boulevard access off of Route 50, and would feature a center courtyard with parking in addition to parking lots on the side and in back of each building, according to the meeting minutes.
Freund said that it is important to Markstone to “make it work” for potential residents.
“It’s never too late to live a life. We want them to have quality living,” said Freund. “It’s crucial here in people’s lives, and it’s important that they have quality time with each other.”
The project will be presented to the Town of Wilton Zoning Board of Appeals on March 23, seeking approval of a variance for the occupied height of the buildings. A maximum of 55 feet is allowed, but the top 20 feet must be unoccupied, leaving 35 feet occupied. The plans call for the buildings to be within the maximum height allowed, but over the allowed amount of occupied space, according to the minutes from the Wilton Town Board’s meeting on Feb. 2.
