Taylor Johnson now represents Pathway to Living, a Chicago-based owner and operator of senior living communities whose $436 million portfolio includes 30 properties and more than 2,800 units in four Midwest states.

Founded in 1997 as Pathway Senior Living, the private company develops a wide range of community types – senior apartment, independent living, assisted living and memory care – providing day-to-day management of award-winning, signature wellness programs that are designed to help residents learn, grow and live purpose-filled lives. In June 2017, the company rebranded as Pathway to Living, reflecting the firm’s mission of creating vibrant communities where residents are encouraged to realize their aspirations rather than being defined by their age. In dropping “senior,” the new name also underscores the broader evolution of the sector as older adults gravitate to communities that provide personalized care in a setting that resembles an upscale apartment community or hotel.

Today, Pathway to Living has a strong equity partnership with Waterton, a U.S. real estate investor and operator whose $3.4 billion portfolio includes more than 13,000 apartments and 11 hotels across the country. The joint venture’s first development, the 120-unit Azpira Place senior living community in Lake Zurich, Ill., opened in May 2017. A second development, Aspired Living of Westmont, a 107-unit assisted living and memory care community in Westmont, Ill., is scheduled to welcome its first residents this month.

Other third-party developer partners include: Caddis Healthcare Real Estate, Evergreen Real Estate Group, CA Ventures and Senior Care Authority.

After identifying innovation as a key initiative, Pathway partnered with Elmspring, a seed-stage technology accelerator based out of 1871, in 2017. As an adviser to startups going through the four-month program, Pathway supports the development of disruptive technologies designed to bring innovation to the real estate industry – specifically, senior housing. These include mobile tools and applications designed to improve the efficiency and quality of care provided in senior living communities.

Pathway to Living’s experienced executive team will be excellent sources on a variety of topics, including:

  • Market-level insights and forecasts for the senior housing sector, including independent living, assisted living and memory care
  • Emerging trends in senior housing development, investment and operations
  • Evolving lifestyle and amenity preferences
  • Resident programming, including memory care offerings designed to rehabilitate the brain through a process called rementia
  • Integration of technology in senior housing
  • Policy and regulatory changes

We look forward to sharing news about Pathway to Living in the coming months. For more information on Pathway, visit the company’s website at www.pathwaytoliving.com or contact Allen Johnson at ajohnson@taylorjohnson.com or  (312) 267-4513; or Abe Tekippe at atekippe@taylorjohnson.com or (312) 267-4528.

PATHWAY TO LIVING FACT Sheet

Executive Team:

  • Jerome E. Finis, chief executive officer
  • Maria Oliva, chief operating officer
  • Sandra Davidson, vice president of operational design
  • Nicole Bartecki, vice president of sales & marketing
  • Bob Enloe, vice president of wellness

Corporate Headquarters:

333 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1010

Chicago, IL 60606

Company Profile:

Founded in 1997, Pathway to Living (formerly Pathway Senior Living) is a Chicago-based developer, owner and operator of senior housing communities. The company’s $436 million portfolio includes a wide range of community types – senior apartment, independent living, assisted living and memory care – with 30 properties comprising more than 2,800 units in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Pathway to Living implements best practices to deliver person-centered care while maximizing returns on behalf of investors and third-party owners. Since its inception, the company has managed $480 million in total investments. Waterton, a Chicago-based real estate investment and management firm specializing in multifamily and hospitality properties, acquired an equity stake in Pathway in 2015, providing support with the sourcing and evaluation of investment opportunities.

Investment Strategy:

Pathway to Living invests in well-located properties where existing senior living supply is limited, well occupied or at risk of obsolescence. The firm recognizes a rapidly growing population over the age of 65 and seeks to strategically gain market share while meeting the desire for the amenity-rich and flexible housing lifestyle favored by older adults.

Areas of Service:

  • Development: Pathway to Living analyzes market potential, secures financing and guides new or rehab senior housing projects from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting.
  • Representative Developments:
    • Azpira Place of Lake Zurich: A 120-unit assisted living community in Lake Zurich, Ill.
    • Aspired Living of Westmont: A 107-unit assisted living community in Westmont, Ill.
    • Grandbrier of Prospect Heights: A 101-unit assisted living and memory care community in Prospect Heights, Ill., developed in partnership with Evergreen Real Estate Group
  • Acquisitions: Pathway to Living uncovers and capitalizes on hidden opportunities in the senior housing sector.
  • Representative Acquisition:
    • Age Well Life Enrichment Centre of Green Bay: A 59-unit assisted living community in Green Bay, Wis.
  • Management services: Pathway to Living combines strong senior housing management experience with the ability to maximize returns through exceptional use of assets. The firm’s systematic approach of integrating market product, pricing and promotion, coupled with proven best practices, signature programs and experienced focus on census data, dramatically impact customer satisfaction and the bottom line.
  • Representative Management Assignments:
    • Heartis Village of Peoria: A 108-unit assisted living and memory care community in Peoria, Ill., owned by Caddis Healthcare Real Estate
    • Heartis Village of Orland Park: A 96-unit assisted living and memory care community in Orland Park, Ill., owned by Caddis Healthcare Real Estate
    • The Sanctuary at West St. Paul: A 164-unit assisted living and memory care community in St. Paul, Minn., owned by Senior Care Authority

Operating Philosophy:

  • VIVA!: Pathway to Living’s award-winning VIVA! philosophy is designed to enrich lives through various social, educational and spiritual pursuits while encouraging residents to share their skills, talents and passions through resident-led activities. Pathway’s branded VIVA! programs include:
  • Art Path: Teaches residents about techniques used by famed artists, sculptors and curators. Residents then use the techniques to create their own works of art.
  • Lifelong Learning: Educates residents using curriculum from college-level courses. Residents also learn about other fields of interest, such as photography and literature.
  • Sharing & Caring: Allows residents to lead workshops and participate in service projects as a means of sharing their talents.
  • Camp Viva!: Provides opportunities to fish, swim, practice archery, ride horses and tell stories through day and overnight camping excursions.
  • Viva! Legacy: Delivers customized advanced care planning that honors individual health care choices and personal wishes.
  • Viva! World Tour: Introduces residents to different cultures and languages.
  • VLink: Instructs residents on how to use various technologies, including computers located in each community’s media lab, providing access to email and social media.
  • Good Vibrations: Encourages self-expression and socialization through drum circles, during which residents can play drums and other rhythmic instruments.
  • SenseSations: Brings restaurant-quality dining to residents by allowing them to enjoy chef-prepared meals showcasing seasonal ingredients – often from their own garden.
  • See Spot Retire: Offers companionship by having a resident dog at each Pathway community.
  • A Knew Day: Pathway to Living’s dementia care program is focused on individualized care shaped by industry best practices and the newest research available. A Knew Day draws from a collection of philosophies and continues to evolve as more effective practices are identified.

Website: www.pathwaytoliving.com