Tulsa’s Montereau Wins National Award for Seniors Housing

Tulsa’s Montereau in Warren Woods retirement community has been named the national winner of a 2005 Best of Seniors Housing Platinum Award given by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Seniors Housing Council. It is the industry’s most prestigious honor.

   The announcement was made in Orlando, FL during the NAHB International Builder’s Show. Bonnie Manson, principal of Interior Design Associates of Nashville, TN, accepted the award on behalf of Montereau’s development team.

   Montereau was recognized for its “architectural and interior design and marketing approach that has brought quality, innovation and spirit to the seniors housing industry while also looking ahead to the future,” according to the NAHB. Jurors cited Montereau for having “a very rich feeling interior, with all parts working well together.” They noted that it “has the feel of a luxury hotel…a truly regal interior.”

“We are proud that Montereau has been recognized nationally for its livability, beauty and style. It is an honor for Tulsa, as well as for the development team and, most importantly, for the residents of Montereau,” said Kelly Vandever, president of Montereau, Inc., a not-for-profit organization. “We know we’ve done something right when our accomplishments shine the spotlight on Tulsa,” he added.

The Platinum Award is the top honor given for interior design of a large Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). The competition received a record number of entries this year. The projects were judged by a distinguished panel of experienced architects, marketing experts, and other industry professionals.

   Founded by the William K. Warren Foundation, Montereau opened in the fall of 2003 on 172 acres south of Saint Francis Hospital at 6800 S. Granite Ave. It is now home to more than 300 senior adults.

   Montereau has 232 apartments and 17 cottages for seniors who live independently. As Tulsa’s newest CCRC, Montereau also provides a continuum of health services in three health centers – assisted living, skilled nursing and an Alzheimer’s/dementia center.

A 50,000 square-foot commons area includes three restaurants, a multi-purpose theater with seating for 250, an indoor swimming pool, card and game room, lounge and billiards room, library, computer and business center, cappuccino room, gift shop/drug store, art studio, post office, full-service bank, hair and nail salon, chapel, and several living areas and terraces. A putting green, walking trails and fishing lake are also on the grounds.

   In recent years, there has been a surge of growth in the number of CCRCs being built across the United States. The popularity of CCRCs as the first choice for independent seniors planning for their future may be attributed to the fact that they are designed to support a lifestyle that encourages healthy activities, good nutrition and the relief of stress.

   “Statistics show that CCRC residents have a life expectancy which is one-and-a-half to two years longer than other elderly individuals,” according to a report published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

   The co-developers of Montereau are CRSA, Inc., headquartered in Memphis, TN and Senior Star Living, locally owned by Bob and Bill Thomas. Members of the development team include Interior Design Associates, Nashville, TN; RLPS Architects, Lancaster, PA; EDAW, Landscape Architects, Atlanta, GA; John Reagan Architects, Columbus, OH; ABS Consultants, Inc., Denver, CO; Reese Engineering, Inc., Parker, CO; and Wallace Engineering and Manhattan Construction, both of Tulsa.

   John-Kelly Warren is Chairman and CEO of Montereau, Inc. Bob Jackson is Executive Director.

   A traveling exhibit featuring Monterau in Warren Woods and other winners of the 2005 Best of Seniors Housing Awards will circulate throughout the country in the coming year.

   Tours of Montereau may be scheduled by calling the Marketing Office at (918) 495-1500.

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