Special to the Reporter
Redmond’s Emerald Heights, a Type A life-care community with amenity-rich offerings, is 98 percent occupied and reserved. Emerald Heights is sponsored by Emerald Communities, a regional senior housing and service organization.
Emerald Heights provides millions of dollars in economic impact to Redmond annually in employee salaries including taxes and benefits, vendors that provide landscaping, housekeeping, food and healthcare supplies and the construction of new amenities.
“Emerald Heights uses local resources and businesses to provide an amenity-rich experience to its residents,” said Leah Diehl, executive director of Emerald Heights. “With the housing market continuing to improve, we will see more seniors deciding to make the move to a life care community.”
Emerald Heights will continue to provide a significant economic impact while it grows:
• Emerald Heights employs a total of 313 full-time and part-time employees.
• The impact of employee salaries with taxes and benefits is nearly $10.9 million per year.
• Food and supplies for 450-plus residents is approximately $1.6 million per year.
• Construction of Trailside Homes including contractors and direct vendors from surrounding areas is approximately $27.5 million.
• Total expansion construction costs in 2013 averaged $14.3 million.
• Emerald Heights works with 385 Seattle-based vendors.
“With the addition of many exciting new amenities, the campus continues to foster culture, vitality and independence to its active residents,” added Diehl. “Due to the increase in occupancy at Emerald Heights, Trailside — the new apartment community — will be home to many seniors who want to live an active lifestyle in a community surrounded by friends.”
Emerald Heights expanded its campus to include a new fitness center and swimming pool designed specifically for its residents, multi-purpose auditorium featuring flexible meeting spaces, and added innovative dining venues including casual and fine dining environments.
Emerald Heights also began construction on Trailside, a new 43-unit apartment community. The Trailside expansion is scheduled for completion in early fall 2014. The apartment homes feature fully equipped and modern kitchens, optional gas fire places, underground parking and scenic views.
