Construction Under Way on MacKenzie Place
Senior living project expected to cost $71M

The 200,000-sq-ft main building at MacKenzie Place in Fort Collins will include 95 independent-living apartments, 26 assisted-living residences and a 26-unit memory-care component. (Rendering courtesy of Lantz-Boggio Architects)

Lantz-Boggio Architects and MacKenzie House have teamed up to design and build MacKenzie Place in Fort Collins-the fourth project on which the two Denver firms have collaborated.

Expected to cost $71 million, the 21-acre campus will feature a total of 230 dwelling units for seniors, including 83 independent-living cottages and a 200,000 sq ft main building containing 95 independent-living apartments, 26 assisted-living residences and a 26-unit memory-care component.

The construction team consists of Palace Construction for the main building and Landmark Construction for the cottages. The initial phase of cottages is slated to be complete by June, with the main building scheduled to open in January.

MacKenzie Place cottages will be priced from $280,000 to the mid-$400s and come in five floor plans, including an option for a loft, from 1300 sq ft to 1800 sq ft. The project will offer fee-simple ownership of the cottages, something not commonly seen in the senior housing industry.

The design of the buildings is Colorado Craftsman style, using the principles of new urbanism. The community will be connected by tree-lined boulevards and pathways that run throughout, meant to de-emphasize automobiles and make the entire project more pedestrian oriented. All the residences will have front porches, a design feature intended to increase social activity.

Lifestyle amenities will include restaurants, a bistro and pub in the main building, computer center, spa, movie theater, travel center and a "Prime Fit" fitness center with instructors certified to work with people age 55 and older. Another highlight: a Brain Fitness center by Posit Science, which uses a program of brain exercises that increase memory and recall by 10 years, in most cases.

"[We] are excited to bring a truly unique living experience to Fort Collins," said Brett Robinson, vice president of sales and marketing for MacKenzie House. "Our concept is to merge the best in real estate practices with the best in senior-living environments into what we call 'five-star fun.'"

AIA Names Recipients of Pettigrew Scholarship

The American Institute of Architects' national associates committee has selected two recipients of the second annual Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship, named for a young Denver architect who died while mountain climbing in July 2004.

The $71-million, 21-acre community will be connected by tree-lined boulevards and pathways that run throughout, meant to de-emphasize automobiles and make the entire project more pedestrian oriented. (Rendering courtesy of Lantz-Boggio Architects)

Catherine Grace Rumbley, Assoc. AIA; and Emmanuel Ramirez Quiñones, Assoc. AIA; were chosen by a jury composed of AIA members and component representatives from various stages of professional development.

Honored this month at the AIA National Convention and Design Expo in San Antonio, Rumbley and Quiñones will receive more than $1,000 to cover the current cost of the Architect Registration Examination and a full set of study guides from Kaplan AEC Education.

The jury recognized Rumbley's contribution to her community beyond the profession.

"Her contribution was exceptional, working on rebuilding homes in New Orleans, not as a career enhancement, but as a personal contribution of her time, energy and expertise," said juror Helen Risom Belluschi, Assoc. AIA, who represented NAC alumni.

The jury recognized Emmanuel's passion for pursuing his license to increase his impact on his community. "His contributions to Casa San Gerardo are exceptional, and his ability to support them will only increase by becoming a licensed architect," said Kristine Royal, AIA, juror and 2007 vice chair of the national young architects forum advisory committee.

Clayton Cole, AIA, juror and co-worker of Pettigrew's at SlaterPaull Architects, said Rumbley's and Quiñones' commitment and enthusiasm would have pleased Pettigrew.

"Jason was inspired by the environment and his open, deep sense of spirituality," Cole said. "These two candidates have found unique passions that inspire them to give personally of themselves for the good of others, a quality that Jason would hold in high esteem."

Pettigrew served on the inaugural National Associate Committee. During his two-year term as the Western Mountain Regional associate director, he also served on the NAC executive committee as the mainstream director, championing issues of internship and licensure.

Also active in AIA Colorado, his contributions included serving multiple years as representative to the IDP coordinating committee and involvement in the development of the Emerging Professional's Companion released in 2004.

For more information on the Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship, go to www.aia.org/nac_AREscholarship.

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