(HOUSTON, TX) – Tucson-based Watermark Retirement Communities and Houston-based Hines today announced the opening of The Watermark at Houston Heights, a visionary luxury lifestyle community in Houston’s Greater Heights neighborhood, between T.C. Jester Boulevard and Durham Drive/Shepherd Drive. The stunning seven-story residential tower is comprised of 222 residences and offers sweeping views of the downtown skyline as the tallest building in the thriving neighborhood. Designed to promote a spirited lifestyle and vibrant longevity, the community offers Senior Living with an independent lifestyle, Assisted Living with meaningful social connections, and Memory Care with thoughtful, personalized support. The community is fully licensed, allowing residents to truly age in place, with flexible accommodations tailored to meet changing health and housing requirements.
From well-appointed living spaces to enriching activities, and locally sourced dining to sophisticated design, every detail at The Watermark is expertly designed to help stimulate the mind and body alike. Residents enjoy a refined environment with 24-hour concierge services, unparalleled amenities and convenient access to The Heights’ renowned art galleries, restaurants, shopping, entertainment centers and White Oak Bayou. The community’s distinctive program offerings and resident-centered care are bolstered by the integration of advanced technologies, key partnerships with Houston institutions such as the Alzheimer’s Association®, and a collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine.
“With the grand opening of The Watermark at Houston Heights, our goal is to provide a service- and amenity-rich community, where members can enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with ready access to various levels of care,” said David Freshwater, CEO of Watermark Retirement Communities. “We are committed to providing seniors with meaning and purpose each day, which is why we collaborated with innovative partners, best-in-class healthcare providers, and technology leaders to enhance this top-notch community’s curated offerings, concierge services and leading evidence-based care.”
The new Heights community is part of Watermark’s Élan Collection and marks the first Élan Collection property to open in Texas, joining only five others in Napa, Los Angeles, Brooklyn and Tucson. An elevated benchmark in senior living and care, Watermark’s newly launched Élan Collection blends ageless style with grand amenities, engaging activities, integrative wellness and a luxury, resort lifestyle.
“The design of The Watermark at Houston Heights was carefully curated to cater to older Houstonians who want to maintain their current lifestyles. From distinguished architecture and inspired interiors to its hyper-amenitized environment, the building has the look and feel of a high-end multifamily building or five-star hotel,” said John Mooz, Hines senior managing director. “Watermark’s 30 years of expertise in delivering the finest senior care and experiences coupled with Hines’ seasoned experience in top-of-class development has produced a state-of-the-art community that will capture the interest of Houston’s discerning seniors and their families for many years to come.”
Resort-Style Amenities 365 Days a Year
Designed by Munoz + Albin Architecture and Planning with interiors by Looney & Associates, The Watermark at Houston Heights inspires enriching interaction through its ample modern amenities and social spaces, with curated artwork throughout. Residents enjoy access to an expansive seventh-floor terrace and lounge with downtown skyline views; a state-of-the-art fitness center offering personal training; multiple wellness venues featuring yoga, Pilates, movement arts and exercise classes; a curated art gallery space and studio; a movie theater; an elegant library; a heated outdoor swimming pool; an activities lawn; a luxury salon and spa featuring signature treatments and styling services; a virtual-reality lounge; and a golf simulator.
Culinary offerings at The Watermark at Houston Heights reflect the exceptional dining experiences residents find throughout the city of Houston, with an executive chef and professional waitstaff to ensure every detail is attended to. The dining program is crafted for residents and their guests to enjoy seasonal fare that nourishes holistic and individual nutritional needs through a variety of culinary experiences ranging from formal to casual. The property’s signature restaurant, Taboon, features appetizers, roasted meats, fish, poultry and flatbreads – some with Italian and Mediterranean influences – chef prepared, in a stone-hearth oven and display kitchen. The W Lounge, with its expansive skyline views and alfresco dining, features traditional fare including burgers, fries, flatbreads, sandwiches, cocktails, beer and wine. Seasons is a warm and comfortable full table service restaurant offering an expansive and versatile menu that showcases the chef’s fresh, delectable creations at breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, while Gallery Café features grab-and-go items. Residents also can savor the convenience of in-residence dining.
Expanding the Mind
Community members can take advantage of opportunities for lifelong learning and whole-person well-being through Watermark University, an award-winning program with interactive live lectures along with other courses and activities. Informative yet fun, classes span a wide variety of subjects, from conversational Spanish to wine pairing, and each is crafted to increase community engagement and provide integrative wellness benefits. Residents also enjoy a recent Watermark innovation that invites them to tailor how they incorporate community offerings into their daily lives. Included with their monthly service fee is a designated credit that residents can use toward dining and services such as massages or personal training.
The Watermark at Houston Heights has developed partnerships with key community organizations for programming and off-site excursions including a wellness fellowship with Golden Hill Retreat Center, philanthropy with The Houston Astros Golf Foundation and many more to come. Through the community’s ongoing collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the leading academic medical institutions in the country, residents will have the opportunity to participate in a cutting-edge NIH study that focuses on remote exercise intervention tailored to those with mild cognitive impairments. This important work could make a significant impact in preserving cognitive function, promoting independent living, and reducing costs associated with cognitive-motor decline, including falls and frailty. Watermark residents will also benefit from educational lectures by Baylor faculty and graduate students. Further, the community will harness strategic partnerships with organizations for continued learning for staff, such as SAGE, the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults.
Personalized Accommodations
Residential offerings cater to community members’ tastes, space requirements and preferences. Elegant studio and two-bedroom residences are thoughtfully crafted with open floor plans, designer kitchens or kitchenettes with quartz countertops and tile backsplashes, and modern bathrooms with walk-in showers. Most residences include in-suite washing machine and dryers as well as ranges. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows allow for abundant natural light and spectacular views, and select residences also feature balconies.
Customized Care
Boasting luxury Senior Living residences for those seeking an independent lifestyle, along with Assisted Living and Memory Care levels, The Watermark at Houston Heights provides expert care tailored to each resident’s unique needs, adjusting as care services may be needed. Highly trained associates are available around the clock, always focused on creating a warm and nurturing environment. The community also utilizes Watermark’s global response system, featuring the latest in wearable medical technology to support each member’s independence and well-being while also providing an added layer of safety.
Watermark’s signature Memory Care program features caregivers called “Nayas,” which translates to “guide” or “person of wisdom” in ancient Sanskrit. Complementing its ongoing collaboration with the Houston chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association®, Watermark trains its Nayas in the latest care techniques, emphasizing empathy-based communications, preserving the dignity of the residents, and bringing meaning and purpose to each day. Memory Care residents enjoy access to a private, dedicated outdoor courtyard and garden; Gourmet Bites Cuisine dining program that enables those with physical, neuromuscular, and cognitive challenges to enjoy the pleasures of fine dining with family or friends; and a Personal Pantry program that ensures favorite snacks are always on hand.
Team, Tours and Additional Information
Watermark and Hines assembled a stellar design team for The Watermark at Houston Heights, including Kirksey, architect of record; Munoz + Albin Architecture and Planning, design architect; Looney & Associates, interior design of common spaces; TBG Landscape Architects, landscape architect; and Harvey Builders, general contractor.
Located at 1245 W 18th Street, The Watermark at Houston Heights is currently accepting reservations. To schedule a property tour, call 346-341-0002. To stay up to date on Houston’s most luxurious senior living community, visit the website and follow along on Facebook and Instagram @watermarkhoustonheights.
About Watermark Retirement Communities®
Watermark creates extraordinary and innovative communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute and published on Fortune.com. A privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages more than 70 retirement communities in 22 states coast to coast. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is ranked as the nation’s 9th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.
About Hines
Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 285 cities in 28 countries. Hines oversees investment assets under management totaling approximately $90.3 billion1. In addition, Hines provides third-party property-level services to 373 properties totaling 114.2 million square feet. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired approximately 1,530 properties, totaling over 511 million square feet. The firm currently has more than 198 developments underway around the world. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a foundational commitment to ESG, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organizations in the world. Visit www.hines.com for more information. 1Includes both the global Hines organization as well as RIA AUM as of December 31, 2021.
