Brickstone Senior Housing Community Breaks Ground in Brighton

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Let the construction begin:  Brickstone senior housing community breaks ground in Brighton 

With bank financing finally in place, long-anticipated project moves forward

With construction vehicles and equipment poised to start work in the background, officials and guests with ceremonial shovels broke ground in a field on Elmwood Ave. in Brighton, signifying the start of a major construction project that will revolutionize the concept of senior living in the Rochester area.

Construction begins in the spring on Brickstone, a 16-acre senior housing community on Elmwood Ave. that is part of St. John’s.

When fully completed, Brickstone will comprise 102 dwelling units – apartments and lofts, one-story bungalows and two story townhouses – situated around the natural wetlands that currently exist on the property. The design and layout of the development also includes walking trails and pathways and a Village Square that will house retail outlets available to residents of both Brickstone and the neighboring community in Brighton.

Christa Construction, based in Victor, will build Brickstone. The 16-month construction schedule will create an estimated boost in area employment of between 450 and 500 construction jobs. Architecture and design is by SWBR.

The Brighton Town Board and its Planning Board approved the projec in March of 2009.  The delay in the start of construction was due to the difficulty in obtaining bank financing, a problem faced by similar developments nationwide due to the crisis and upheaval in the banking industry. Financing of Brickstone is through M&T bank. The project will cost $32 million.

New Urbanism            

The revolutionary aspect of Brickstone is its design, based on the principles of New Urbanism.  New Urbanism suggests that building and landscape design reflect the history and the styles and standards of the community AND make smart use of the land available to enhance the social interaction and comfort of a true neighborhood.  As a New Urbanism community, Brickstone features a defined center and mixed styles of housing in a setting that is entirely “walkable.”

The focal point of Brickstone is an appropriately designed and scaled “village square” type of building with glass exterior overlooking the wetlands and pond, offering residents a place to shop at retail shops and stores and to gather in community-oriented meeting space.  Brickstone’s retail outlets will also be available to residents of nearby Brighton neighborhoods.

“Our overall approach for Brickstone is to create an inviting neighborhood, one that is easy to negotiate for our residents and is a desirable destination for the area’s neighboring residents for shopping, meetings and events, and other opportunities” says St. John’s CEO, Charlie Runyon.  “In short, this project will invite our existing Brighton neighbors to participate in becoming a neighborhood with us.”

Fit and Active Seniors in an Anti-Suburban Setting

The project differs from other senior housing communities in that it provides active, healthy seniors with a setting that eliminates suburban sprawl, is designed for walking, promotes neighborhood friendliness and interaction, and offers a new balance for its residents in the way of immediate access to shopping, to on-site services, and to the larger communities of Brighton and adjacent areas. 

“The suburbs can be extremely isolating to an empty nester or retired adult who no longer wants the responsibility of home ownership and would like a closer neighborhood feeling,” says Runyon. “On the other hand, a dense urban community may not appeal to such an individual or couple looking for a retirement setting."

“Brickstone, with its New Urban design, meets the needs and housing desires of this increasingly large demographic.”

All units at Brickstone are available on a rental basis; no purchase of the unit or entrance fee is required.  This financial basis offers Brickstone residents a highly desirable and modern living unit without the necessity of tying up their funds in home ownership. Information is available at the Brickstone Information Center at 585-271-1000.

About St. John’s

St. John’s is a multi-level continuum of care for the elderly in Rochester.  The nursing facility, St. John's Home, was founded in 1899.   Located on an eight-acre campus on the corner of South and Highland Avenues, the Home provides rehabilitation, hospice and long term care to 475 residents.  St. John's is Rochester's only Eden Alternative nursing home.  St. John's Meadows, a senior living community, located on 35 acres in Brighton, offers a variety of independent and assisted living options.  St. John's Foundation develops financial resources for the family of St. John's services and programs, and supports other health-related programs for the aging in Rochester.   St. John’s also has programs providing services to people who continue living in their own homes, including Day Break adult day services and Traditions in Caring home health care.

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