Waterstone at Wellesley grand opening draws 275

Two hundred and seventy-five residents, prospective residents, guests, dignitaries and staff attended a ribbon-cutting open house event May 23 at Waterstone at Wellesley, a beautiful new senior living community located at 27 Washington St.  Speakers included Barbara Seale, chair, Wellesley Board of Selectman; Larry Gerber, CEO, EPOCH Senior Living; Ted Tye, managing partner, National Development; Kristine Tilton, executive director of the community; and Mark Clemonts, who, along with his wife, was one of the first of the community’s residents.  State Representative Alice Piesch was scheduled to speak but canceled last minute due to legislative duties; instead, she forwarded a commendation welcoming Wellesley’s new retirement community to town.

“It takes a village,” Gerber said, speaking of the enormous efforts of all involved to complete the project on time. He also said EPOCH had assembled an “all-star” team to operate Waterstone at Wellesley, which he called EPOCH’s crown jewel senior living community. “I believe that we assembled one of the best teams in New England, if not beyond, to create a world-class community.”

Waterstone at Wellesley is a joint venture by Waltham-based EPOCH Senior Living and Newton-based National Development. A Grossman’s Hardware store that stood empty for nearly 20 years was razed in June 2010 to make space for the project. The community employs 50 staff led by Tilton.

The 207,742-square-foot Waterstone at Wellesley includes 134 apartments for seniors 62 and older. It features independent and assisted living rental apartments, a fitness center, pool, theater, restaurant-style dining, designer kitchens, putting green, a riverfront walking trail and underground parking garage. All-inclusive monthly rental fees range start at $5,500, depending on style and campus location. The community is situated along the Charles River and behind a CVS pharmacy and a Newton-Wellesley Hospital ambulatory surgical center, which are located along Washington Street.

“We’ve done many senior living developments over the years that have won awards for their design,” said Tye, who handles National Developments’ senior living segment. “I believe this is our best.”

Elkus Manfredi Architects was project architect, Wellesley Design Consultants provided interior design services, and Cranshaw Construction was general contractor.

Tours are being provided of the new community daily. To schedule a tour, call 781-235-1614.

Lt. Governor Murray, Reps. Kahn and Peisch, and others dedicate re-opened foot bridge by Waterstone at Wellesley

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray led a ribbon-cutting ceremony today for the refurbished Wellesley-Newton DCR bridge, linking Washington Street in Wellesley with Concord Street in Newton. Lt. Gov. Murray was joined by Wellesley Executive Director Hans Larsen, several Wellesley alderman, Newton Mayor Setti Warren, State Representatives Kay Kahn and Alice Peisch, and about 80 people who attended the ceremony at nearby Waterstone at Wellesley, a beautiful senior living community which opened last month.

The old rail trestle bridge crossing the Charles River in Lower Falls became unusable and dangerous to the community after the train stopped running 35 years ago. The Wellesley Trails Committee was instrumental in bringing the bridge’s deteriorating condition to light and leading the effort to refurbish and open the bridge for pedestrian traffic. After many public hearings, the design for the project was finally approved by the Newton Conservation Commission in May 2010.

Waterstone at Wellesley is adjacent to the bridge entrance on the Wellesley side of the Charles River. The bridge extends from the Wellesley Trails system and the river way walk built behind Waterstone at Wellesley. Executive Director Kristine Tilton said the new bridge is a great amenity for residents, many of whom are active and enjoy walking.  Many Waterstone apartments enjoy spectacular views of the bridge.

National Development, developers of Waterstone at Wellesley, was also key in refurbishment planning as part of Waterstone at Wellesley.