Design Center November-2000

Crown Cove
Corona Del Mar, California
Type of Facility/Setting:
Administrator:
Architecture Firm:

Resident Capacity:
Total Area:
Construction Cost:
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Assisted Living /Alzheimer’s Care
Rebecca Ward
JBZ Architecture + Planning
(949) 250-7171
75 units
66,685 sq. ft.
$12 million
$180
ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS:
Rebecca Ward, Administrator, Crown Cove: “Crown Cove has the look of a seaside resort. The building is entirely shingled, and it has turrets, gables and cupolas. The entrance is done in the Arts and Crafts style of architecture. From the street it looks like two buildings, but actually there is a shared lobby level and garden (lower) level between the four-floor south end of the building and the five-floor north end. It was designed this way so that our building doesn’t obstruct our neighbors’ view of the ocean.
“Our common areas are spectacular. The dining room has a fireplace and a view of the ocean, and residents can eat outside on the veranda if they choose. Our Great Room has an aviary, areas for playing cards or doing puzzles, a large-screen television and a baby grand piano that’s used for many activities. There’s also a library with another fireplace, a beauty salon that’s open three days a week and a hydrotherapy spa. We have a receptionist in the lobby area who greets visitors and greets residents by name, further enhancing the resort atmosphere.
“The facility features one-room suites of varying sizes and interior designs. Many of them have an ocean or canyon view, ink, counter, refrigerator and microwave for preparing light snacks.
Each suite has a large bathroom, which includes a high-rise toilet and a large shower with a fold-down bench, so that residents can shower either while seated or standing. Each suite has an emergency call alert, which is integrated with a high-tech telephone system.
“Crown Cove has other state-of-the-art safety features. For example, since we are located in a canyon area where brush fires are a possibility, each shingle on the building has been treated with a fire-retardant chemical, and there is a perimeter sprinkler system that would water-blanket the building in the event of a fire.
“The hallways and elevators contribute to the resort feeling. Along the hallways are small alcoves with plants and a table or chair; the walls are ‘rag-rolled,’ giving a soft, elegant effect, with stenciling highlights. The elevator has a lovely wooden floor, wainscoting and stenciling.
“The design of Crown Cove’s Alzheimer’s Journeys« Neighborhood supports our philosophy of extending life skills as long as possible.
These suites differ from the others in that they don’t have sinks, microwaves and refrigerators, for safety reasons. The stove in the common kitchen area can be shut off with a key so that no resident can turn it on when unsupervised. Also included in the Alzheimer’s area is a desk for the use of residents who were accustomed to going to an office during their working years. There’s also a Sensory Garden, which includes flowers and vegetables residents can tend and a barbecue, tables and chairs for cookouts.
“Visitors to Crown Cove frequently comment on its beauty and at how ‘different’ it is. Three associations have recognized its outstanding design: Crown Cove has won the Golden Nugget Award, sponsored by the Western Building Show; the Builder’s Choice Award from Builder Magazine (the magazine of the National Association of Home Builders); and the Assisted Living Federation of America’s ‘Best of Home’ Design Award.”

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