News

07.03.2007
Groundbreaking Announcement

CONSTRUCTION STARTS EARLY AT THE HERITAGE OF GREEN HILLS

$140 Million Retirement Community will create 200 jobs

(Berks County, Pa.) — The Heritage of Green Hills, a continuing care retirement community that will become Berks County’s largest, began construction with a “Salute to Freedom” festival Friday, June 15 — months ahead of its previously announced groundbreaking.

Hundreds of guests gathered Friday on the 78 acres of hilltop land in Cumru Township that will become home to The Heritage of Green Hills.

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Members of the community’s management team, along with several future residents, kicked off a colonial-themed “Salute to Freedom” festival by digging a small patch of soil to commemorate the community’s earlier-than-expected construction.

When complete, The Heritage of Green Hills will include more than 460 apartments and 39 villas and will be home to more than 800 residents. The community will also offer private assisted-living suites, memory care and nursing care, enabling the community to provide a full spectrum of support to its residents. 

The Heritage of Green Hills will have a significant economic impact on the region. The project carries a total cost of $140 million and will create 200 new jobs. In addition, the completed community will generate hundreds of thousands in tax revenues that will benefit local governments without burdening schools.

The original timeline called for construction to begin in early 2008, according to Kristin E. Kutac, Chief Operating Officer of American Heritage Communities, Inc., which is developing the community.

Due to overwhelming response, The Heritage of Green Hills broke ground months ahead of schedule and plans to begin moving residents in during Fall 2008 — also months ahead of its announced timeframe.

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“Today’s seniors don’t accept the idea that retirement is a time to slow down,” Kutac said. “Once this region’s retirees learned about the new kind of environment we were creating, they responded enthusiastically.”

When completed, the gated community will offer hiking trails, exercise facilities, an indoor swimming pool, a salon and a restaurant and tavern, among other amenities.

At the Salute to Freedom, colonial re-enactors and a fife-and-drum corps entertained more than 400 guests, who also enjoyed hot air balloon rides, horse-drawn carriage rides and tours of a full-scale model apartment. 

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Officials noted that the Revolution-Era theme was designed to reflect the community’s revolutionary approach to retirement living. The Heritage of Green Hills will be distinguished by unique programs, such as the region’s first 100% Refundable Entrance Fee, which ensures residents that their full entrance fee will be returned to them or to their heirs.

In addition, the community created Well By Design^SM, a program that will help each resident create an individualized wellness plan. Staff specialists will support residents as they focus on keeping a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Jeanene Palmer, Director of Community Relations for The Heritage of Green Hills, said the area’s existing retirement communities are either near capacity or at full capacity with a waiting list.

“Retirees in our area were running out of choices, ” Palmer said. “With The Heritage of Green Hills, they can stay close to their roots and enjoy a different approach to retirement living.”

For more information about The Heritage of Green Hills, interested individuals may visit www.HeritageofGreenHills.com, or call 610.777.4431.