Village On The Isle, a nonprofit senior living community in Venice, Florida, has started a $78 million expansion to meet the growing needs of housing and wellness for seniors. Founded in 1979, this community supports 400 residents with various care options, like independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.

The project includes two new five-story buildings with 54 more independent living homes, now totaling 281 units. A wellness center called “The Core,” sized at 9,200 square feet, will feature an indoor pickleball court, a pool with easy entry, a fitness center, a spa, and a salon. This is all about keeping wellness a top priority for seniors.

CEO Doug Feller explained that the new buildings are designed to focus on health, offering advanced facilities to help residents feel their best. Resident Donna Rosengren is thrilled about the expansion, excited about the new pool and better activity spaces, saying it feels like living on a cruise ship.

Key Takeaways

Village On The Isle is expanding with a $78 million project to meet growing senior housing needs in Venice, Florida.

  • The expansion includes two new five-story buildings with 54 more independent living homes and a wellness center called ‘The Core’ featuring an indoor pickleball court, pool, fitness center, spa, and salon.
  • The project is driven by a growing need for senior housing, with about 175 people waiting for these kinds of homes, and aims to meet this demand and keep potential residents from looking elsewhere.
  • The expansion is expected to be completed by late 2026 and will feature advanced facilities designed to help residents feel their best, including new independent living options and a focus on wellness and community.

Strategic response to market demand

The expansion is driven by a growing need for places where seniors can live on their own. Village On The Isle has about 175 people waiting for these kinds of homes, which shows just how much more space is needed. By adding new homes, the community wants to meet this demand and keep potential residents from looking elsewhere.

The Venice City Council recently changed rules to allow more homes for independent living, rather than assisted ones, which is what people want now. According to Feller, this won’t change the care or lifestyle for residents. Adding 50 more homes for independent living helps keep people from the waitlist, Feller explained. This expansion helps us offer seniors a lively and supportive place to live.

The new homes were available for reservations in September 2024, and nearly 90% are already taken. This shows how popular the community is as a top choice for seniors in the area. Feller expects the waitlist to grow as more seniors move here, making the expansion a timely and necessary step.

Financial backing and project timeline

The $78 million expansion is being funded through bonds issued by the City of Venice and managed by B.C. Ziegler and Company. These bonds were released in late 2024 and saw high demand from investors—this strong interest allowed Village On The Isle to secure favorable financing.

The groundbreaking event happened on January 14, 2025, with construction starting a week later on January 21. The new facilities are expected to be ready and fully functional by late 2026.

This is the second big expansion effort for Village On The Isle in less than ten years. Previously, they invested $100 million to add 46 new homes and create the Emerald Terraces and Luke Haven Health Center, which offers 64 private skilled nursing rooms. These ongoing efforts show their dedication to meeting the growing needs of seniors in the Venice community.

Looking ahead

The expansion is not just about adding more space—it’s a plan to make life better for residents. By bringing in new amenities and areas for people to connect, the community wants to help residents feel at home and healthy. The new wellness center, The Core, along with new independent living options, shows the emphasis on wellness, community, and a better quality of life in senior living today.

For Village On The Isle, these upgrades are part of their goal to stay at the forefront of senior care and housing. With an increasing senior population, places like Village On The Isle are setting new standards for modern senior living. They are offering advanced wellness facilities and smartly designed living spaces to better serve upcoming generations of seniors.

When the expansion is done, Village On The Isle will have improved not just its facilities but also its standing as a forward-thinking and resident-focused community. With a strong focus on quality, care, and new ideas, they are ready to continue providing excellent and compassionate service to seniors in Venice.