By Beth N. Gray, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thirty-eight of the 118 units are spoken for as the Salishan apartment complex opens its doors in Spring Hill.
SPRING HILL — Movers hauling couches and mattresses dodged prospective tenants taking tours as residents began occupying the new 118-unit Salishan apartment complex over the past couple of weeks.
The developer bills its upscale offerings, off Barclay Avenue across from the entrance to Silverthorn, as "gracious retirement living."
Even as construction was under way over the past year and half, renters signed up, said the property's marketing manager, Kendra Tuma. As of last week, she said, 38 tenants had signed contracts to move in by year's end.
And if the nods and smiles from those inspecting model apartments, the indoor amenities and outdoor facilities on a recent day were any indication, the number promises to exceed that soon.
Salishan has 25 studio apartments, 79 one-bedroom units and 14 two-bedroom suites, encompassing 31 designs, including several units that are totally handicapped accessible. Throughout, every apartment is equipped with a call unit, including emergency cord, to reach management 24 hours a day, pointed out Susan Garrison, construction administrator for the developer, Colson & Colson, headquartered in Vancouver, Wash.
Safety is a big part of the company's commitment at its 50 facilities across the United States.
"This is a company philosophy," said Garrison, pointing out a fire sprinkler system, smoke detectors and intercom system.
As for everyday usefulness, each apartment features a kitchenette, full-size bathroom with step-in shower (plus a tub in the two-bedroom suites), a porch for the ground-level units and a balcony for apartments on the second and third levels. No stairs must be climbed; an elevator is provided.
Carpeting and curtains are in place. Tenants bring their own furniture.
"It's not home unless it's their own personal items," Tuma noted.
The complex is designed for socialization. In addition to casual seating arrangements in the lobby and adjacent atrium, as well as on each floor, the building includes a fitness gym, library, TV room with big screen, card room, chapel, theater with tiered seating, billiards room, beauty salon-barbershop and outdoor heated pool.
The dining room seats 145, at linen-covered tables. And there's no cafeteria line.
Included in the rentals are three chef-prepared meals a day. Breakfasts range from continental to brunch on Sundays. Noon entrees include everything from lasagna to a catch of the day. Suppers run the gamut from soups and sandwiches to double-stuffed potatoes.
The 5-acre premises provide open parking, 12 reserved carport spaces and four garages. While many residents in the company's complexes take up tenancy with their own vehicles, they come to find they don't need them, said Garrison. The Hawthorn Management Group, which operates Salishan and other Colson properties, provides a van to transport tenants to doctor's appointments, shopping and other requested destinations.
Tuma said one prospective tenant told her recently that Salishan was "very cruise shippy."
The name, Salisham, she explained, comes from a native American tribe in the Northwest and Canada, drawn from Colson's roots in Vancouver.
Garrison said that in building the complex, Colson "tried very, very hard to use as many local companies as possible." Of 60 subcontractors and suppliers, 90 percent were from Florida, and most from Hernando and Pasco counties, she said.
Employees are mostly local as well, although the main managers are experienced Colson employees. The staff includes 22 workers. Local teenagers are hired as extra wait staff on evenings and weekends.
Studio apartments start at $1,695 per month, one-bedroom apartments at $2,550 and two bedrooms at $3,695. Utilities except for telephone service are included, as well as weekly housekeeping, laundering and access to all amenities.
Garrison said the rates are commensurate with similar offerings in Hernando.
Tuma said a demographics study showed there was a market in Hernando County for an upscale facility for seniors still wanting to live independently.
Beth Gray can be contacted at graybethn@earthlink.net.