Building Connections & Communities
October 8, 2024
An interview with Scott Gensler, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Acquisitions
Erickson Senior Living communities are home to more than 30,000 seniors across the country, placing the company among the five largest providers according to a 2024 report by Argentum.
Utilizing a strategic, collaborative approach to development, the company is poised for continued expansion to serve this growing demographic.
In the following interview, Scott Gensler, senior vice president of real estate acquisitions, discusses the value of relationships and partnerships in the development process.
Q: In general, what makes a good location for an Erickson Senior Living continuing care retirement community?
Evaluating a potential site is more than just looking at the physical location. Many factors must be considered to make sure that a new community is set up for long-term success.
For instance, we look at the number of age-qualified people in a certain geographic distance around the site, the history of real estate values, and the strength of the local employment base. We also look at access to the property and its proximity to activities, shopping, and medical services.
These elements help determine whether the site is a good fit for an Erickson Senior Living community. Our goal is to position the community to provide quality services to residents—and have the flexibility to innovate--for years to come.
Q: What role do strong community relationships play in bringing a new community to life?
Establishing relationships is very important in working to develop a new community, particularly in a new geographic location. Most local jurisdictions have a public approval process, so getting to know community leaders, the governing body, and local neighbors is crucial. We also seek to connect and build relationships with area homeowners’ associations, hospitals, and local businesses.
Much of this engagement occurs during our study periods, during which we evaluate several factors, including public support.
Fortunately, Erickson Senior Living has more than forty years of experience serving seniors, creating significant employment opportunities, and being a good neighbor that appeals to many jurisdictions.
Q: Once a new site is identified, how does the rest of the Erickson Senior Living team get involved?
Moving forward with the development of a new community involves a coordinated effort from nearly the entire organization. We have a team that regularly reviews the project pipeline and includes input from business strategy, finance, legal, and market intelligence teams. If a project goes under contract, the group expands to include our operations and human resources experts.
Decisions are never made in a vacuum as all disciplines are represented. The goal of the development team is to make the right decision and engage our colleagues at the appropriate time.
Q: What are some projects that the company is excited about now?
It continues to be an exciting time for Erickson Senior Living. Growth brings opportunities to meet the high demand among seniors for our lifestyle and provide career development for team members.
We are particularly excited to welcome residents to two new communities over the next two years: The Grandview in Bethesda, Maryland (opening in late 2025) and Emerson Lakes in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, in Sarasota (opening in late 2026).
Other projects are either under development or in various stages of the approval process. The future is bright!
Interested in learning more about a community near you? Visit ericksonseniorliving.com for more details about locations across the country.