The Embassy to become luxury
units for 55-over
By Laura Pace
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Asbury Heights has purchased The Embassy apartment
building at 230 Beverly Road, Mt. Lebanon and intends to turn it into luxury apartments for people 55 and older. About
50 current residents have until October 31 to find other housing.
The $1.3 million dollar purchase last Thursday (June 9, 2005) from an undisclosed
portfolio of investors in the six story landmark building is part of an $8.2 million dollar plan which call for the 60 unit
building to be gutted to make way for 35 apartments said Audrey Burgoon, director of communications for United Methodist Services
for the Aging, which owns Asbury Heights.
The ourside should look the same, although The Embassy's trademark green awning is
likely to be removed and replaced, she said.
The project, to be called "The Embassy, operated by Asbury Heights," will be
geared toward "younger older adults," Burgoon said. It is a new concept for Asbury. The company hopes it
will attract people who are not quite ready for the retirement community but will be someday.
The Heights' main campus is on Bower Hill Road. Tenants in the building will
be part of the community and able to use its services, she said.
Asbury Heights is a continuing care community, meaning residents can choose to live
in apartments and then move to assisted living or skilled nursing as the need arises. Independent living units at the
campus are currently at capacity, with a waiting list of several years, especially for the townhouses.
Burgoon said residents of The Embassy will pay a buy-in fee ranging from $174,300
to $245,700, with 90 percent of that fee refundable if the resident leaves or dies. Monthly rent, on top of the buy-in,
will be $1,902 to $2,681, depending on the unit's size.
The building will include two one-bedroom units, 17 two bedroom units and 16 three
bedroom units. Sizes will range from 996 sq ft. for the largest apartments.
Residents must be able to pay their own way as there will be no benevolent care.
Because the units will be independent living, they require no state licensing, and the area is zoned for apartments,
so no special permission will be required from the planning board or commission. Asbury is hoping for a fall 2006 opening.
Residents will have a doorman, concierge service, a common room and van service but
no meals.
The building's location was part of its allure.
"It's just a short walk to those Beverly Shops and it's one of the classiest
areas," Burgoon said. "We liked the idea that it was a landmark building.
