And in cities like New York, the high cost of living and urban setting means that there is a large pool of highly educated, financially successful and culturally curious retirees who are seeking similar company.ĭavid Freshwater, the chairman of Watermark Retirement Communities, said giving seniors three squares and meeting their basic living needs, as many nursing homes have done for the World War II generation, is not going to cut it for more demanding boomers. Tim Mullaney, the editor of Senior Housing News, a trade publication, said places like Inspīr and the Watermark are promoting “the idea of affinity rather than exclusivity” - that is, to live among like-minded people. The common spaces were empty, the solicitous staff stood around a bit aimless. And Medicare isn’t footing the bill at these “private pay” facilities.īut the Watermark may also be the easiest exclusive club in New York to get into: A year after opening last October, it had just 30 residents (capacity is 275). A penthouse starts at $29,750 a month.īy contrast, the median cost for assisted living in the United States is about $4,000 a month, according to a recent report by Genworth Financial, an insurance firm. That does not include a one-time membership fee ($50,000 for independent living, $20,000 for assisted living and memory care).įees at Inspīr start at $13,500 a month and include room and board, a concierge and special events and programs. Monthly fees at the Watermark range from $8,295 for studio apartments, to $20,295 for a two-bedroom. One resident, Marilyn Snyder, describes it as “the QE2 on the East River.” The expansive view of the East River from the 23rd floor penthouse is breathtaking. The 17th floor “sky park” has a wraparound terrace, bistro and lounge with a fireplace.
A concert by Yo-Yo Ma at the nearby 92nd Street Y streams to the in-house TV channel. The soaring, light-filled lobby features a Yamaha grand piano, Roman travertine floors, a green onyx wall and Seguso chandelier. Inspīr, meanwhile, brims with opulent finishes and luscious amenities.