Acts Retirement-Life Communities, owner of Tryon Estates, was on hand Tuesday, April 30, to celebrate the completion of extensive renovations to the community’s clubhouse and its public areas. The multi-year, phased construction that began in early 2018 has resulted in a $10 million investment that has breathed new life into Tryon Estates, one of western North Carolina’s premier senior living communities.
The new renovation was focused primarily on the large Tryon Estates clubhouse, which offers three dining rooms, including a bistro, the main lobby, game room, community meeting and conference room, kitchen, multi-purpose room and administrative offices.
“Updating the community to bring it more closely into the local architectural ‘mountain lodge’ feel” was important to residents but also to Acts leadership,” said Acts Director of Marketing Production Beth Carey. “We realized that Tryon Estates is a unique retirement destination with a myriad of very special outdoor, natural advantages. Bringing natural light and finishes of this mountain location into the living and community spaces was deliberate. Through expansion of indoor-outdoor areas, we wanted to recreate the spirit of these mountains and the wonder they inspire.”
Much of the renovation was undertaken to address the wishes of current and future residents. Tryon now offers casual dining at a new coffee bar, the Bistro and The Mountain Club, with indoor and outdoor seating and views of the Tryon grounds. Additional formal, upscale dining is available in The Laurel Room, and a private dining area for events. The kitchen was renovated to address the needs of cooking individual, restaurant-style servings. Dining options also include frequent pop-up restaurants throughout the community.
Of special significance is the creation of a new community chapel within the clubhouse. The residents of Tryon Estates initiated a campaign that ultimately raised over $400,000 to fund construction of the chapel. The campaign, which surpassed its goal, received funding from current residents, staff, family and local donors.
“Our residents braved construction and lived right here through the thick and thin of the whole construction period,” says Tryon Estates Executive Director Dee James with a smile. “We all shared in the fascinating process of watching our environment evolve into an even more beautiful place as we lived and played in the middle of the work. It was exciting. Now, our residents are fond of telling me that it’s truly been worth the wait.”
Opened in 1992, Tryon Estates is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on a beautiful 215-acre campus in the foothills that 400 residents call home. A range of independent living options, including one-, two- and three bedroom apartments, as well as ten villas, surround a lovely clubhouse with a nearby ten-acre lake, on campus, where residents enjoy fishing, kayaking and picnicking.
One of the most unique aspects of Tryon Estates is its life care plan, which pre-pays any future long-term care residents may need. Tryon Estates offers a comprehensive range of long-term care services, including assisted living, memory care and skilled care located within the on-site health center. A full-time Nurse Practitioner is on hand for residents, along with Home Health Services to round out a full continuum of care.
With excitement about the renovation, more and more people have moved to Tryon Estates. At construction completion, there are a small number of apartments still available for those seeking a carefree lifestyle in a charming home with newly renovated state-of-the-art community spaces to enjoy new friends and a host of wonderful activities.
“All of us at Acts take pride in providing our residents with the environment and amenities that ensure their happiness and well-being,” said Carey. “We began our planning for the Tryon renovation after executive budget tours of the property. We listened to the residents. We discovered the opportunities, comforts and activities that were on the horizon and that they would enjoy. Our whole process has been one of working in concert with the individual residents and the community as a whole to continue making Tryon Estates a remarkable destination with a lifestyle that is second to none.”