From the moment The Glenridge was first envisioned, it was clear that it was destined to be a game changer – and to this day, that continues to be the case. So, on the landmark occasion of our 20th anniversary, we want to share our journey with you: how our community was imagined, how the vision became reality and how we’ve continued to grow and improve.
In the early 2000s, as 76 million Baby Boomers began to age and life expectancies began to rise, it was clear that this demographic shift was not only going to strain healthcare systems and create a shortage of long-term care providers; it was also going to force a paradigm shift in the senior living market.
Rather than building bigger and better “retirement centers,” the visionaries behind The Glenridge chose to create vibrant environments geared to the values and priorities of a new generation – where age was revered as a source of wisdom, where life experiences were valued, and where life’s third stage could become the most rewarding.
They branded their new concept the Life Fulfilling Community® (LFC) – and The Glenridge was the nation’s first.
On the day The Glenridge opened its doors – November 18, 2003 – members knew they were part of something truly special. Maybe it was the expansive, 6,000-sq.-ft. Village Commons area … the multi-million-dollar Glenridge Performing Arts Center … or the sheer magnificence and natural beauty of the campus. But from all perspectives, the community proved to be everything members hoped it would be – and more.
Founded with the bold vision of redefining an industry, The Glenridge had a clear challenge for the years ahead: Prove we did what we promised. And then, continue to redefine and improve the concept.
Over its first decade, our community continued to grow and expand – launching the Glenridge Academy and two new healthcare facilities, the Highlands and the Carroll Center, in 2004. And as demand for this trend-setting community grew, we began construction on three freestanding residence buildings, the third of which (the Palm) was completed in 2006.
At The Glenridge, we were doing things differently – and it didn’t take long for the world to notice. In 2007, the community celebrated a landmark achievement when readers of Sarasota Magazine named The Glenridge “Best Retirement Community” – the first of 14 times (to date) they would do so. Accolades continued to mount over the next few years as The Glenridge earned national awards in recognition of our community’s lush landscaping, engaging lifestyle and top-quality healthcare.
By the time we rolled into our second decade, The Glenridge had indeed raised the bar for senior living. The LFC “experiment” was working … members were flourishing …and the community was evolving to meet their needs.
In 2021, we embarked on three major expansion projects: the new Northside Neighborhood, encompassing brand-new, single-family Club Homes amid 60 acres of greenspace; the $5.5 million Kamberg Center, an impressive health and wellness pavilion that embraces the Six Keys to Living Well® philosophy; and new amenities for art, culture, dining and fitness.
As our community commemorates its 20th anniversary, there’s a lot to celebrate: Two decades of challenging the status quo … wowing our members … and blazing one new trail after another. And in the years ahead, we’ll continue to do what we’ve always done: dare to dream big.
And that’s why, to this day, life here just keeps getting better. Find out how you can flourish in a community that’s different by design: Send us a message or give our Life Planning Team a call at 941-552-5369 to schedule your personal tour.
For more information about what life is like at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch in beautiful Sarasota – named the best place in the U.S. to retire – visit our other blog posts or find us on Facebook.