Rockwood retirement breaks ground next month on South Hill tower

Spokane’s Rockwood Retirement Communities breaks ground next month on a $41-million, 11-story tower that will include 65 luxury apartments for area seniors. The 165,000-square-foot tower will be connected at the ground level to Rockwood’s existing seven-story residential center, formerly called Rockwood Manor. The new building, at 2903 E. 25th, will be called the Summit. As part of the expansion the new building will be connected at the ground level to the former Manor, now renamed the Ridge. The entire expansion of Rockwood Retirement’s South Hill campus will come to roughly $60 million, said CEO Alan Curryer. Curryer said the Summit is expected to accept residents in 2016. Based on construction permits, the Summit is the largest residential project approved by the City of Spokane last year. Rockwood Retirement began plans for the project more than two years ago. Construction was delayed while financing was completed and 80 percent of the new apartments were sold. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on March 12. Walker Construction will be in charge of the project. The Summit will be built due west of the Ridge building. The initial work involves demolishing two older garages in that area. Most of the new tower’s units will range from 900 square feet to 1,970 square feet. The top two floors will offer “penthouse” units, ranging from 1,050 square feet to 2,210 square feet. As part of an overall south hill upgrade, the Ridge building will be renovated with common areas on the first floor. The connected buildings will offer a variety of residential services that include a ballroom-multipurpose room, a theater, art studio and library and a fitness area. Spokane United Methodist Homes operates Rockwood Retirement Communities as a nonprofit corporation, having begun operations in Spokane more than 50 years ago. Financing for the expansion comes from tax-exempt revenue bonds. Rockwood also owns and operates Rockwood at Hawthorne Retirement Community and Appleway Court, which provides housing for low- to moderate-income seniors. After the Summit expansion, Rockwood will have capacity to house more than 650 residents. NAC Architecture of Spokane is the lead architect.