Senior living community completes $78 million project – Business Observer

FORT MYERS — Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers has completed the Larsen Health Center, a $78 million, 200,000-square-foot facility on its main campus in Fort Myers.

The facility, according to a statement, will bring together all of Shell Point’s health care services. That includes a comprehensive medical center, behavioral health suite, rehabilitation center, dental offices, pharmacy, and a 180-bed skilled nursing facility with private rooms. The facility is located in Shell Point’s Waterside neighborhood, which includes The Springs assisted living, Connected Living at The Springs memory care residences and the Shell Point Welcome Center.

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The Larsen Health Center was a $78 million project.

“Very few (Continuing Care Retirement Communities) are making investments in skilled nursing, but we’re bullish on it,” Shell Point President and CEO Martin Schappell says in the release. “Locating all medical services within one facility accelerates access to care, enhances collaboration in treatment and hastens the healing and restorative process. Shell Point made the financial commitment to this project because our residents deserve excellent clinical care, private rooms, and a hospitality-driven experience.”

Within Larsen Health Center, a medical center includes exam and procedure rooms, on-site imaging services, and offices for Shell Point’s medical staff and specialty physicians, the release states. A therapy center offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services in a dynamic open-gym concept, along with an occupational therapy home suite, a state-of-the-art aqua therapy pool and private treatment rooms. A dental clinic, full-service pharmacy, chapel, meeting space, and cafe complete the first floor.

Floors two through six offer 162 private and nine companion skilled nursing rooms with 10-foot ceilings, expansive eight-by-nine foot windows and well-appointed bathrooms with walk-in showers. Dining rooms and sunrooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing water and nature preserve views. Each self-contained residential neighborhood accommodates 20 residents and offers a living room, activity room, lounge area and a family conference room.

“Neighborhood spaces create a nurturing environment for socializing and activities and reflect Shell Point’s personalized approach to care,” says Christy Skinner, Vice President of Healthcare, in the release. “Here, our health care staff, volunteers and caregivers have the tools and technology they need to provide our residents with the best possible care.”

A full-service salon for residents, an employee cafeteria and administrative offices are located on the second floor.

Wegman Design handed Larsen Health Center’s contemporary interiors. The Larsen Health Center project team also included RDG Planning & Design, The Weitz Company, Johnson Engineering, Stantec Consulting Services and Fiber Solutions.

Shell Point broke ground on Larsen Health Center in September 2019.

Founded in 1968, Shell Point Retirement Community is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community, offering independent retirement living, assisted living and skilled nursing for its 2,500 residents in an active, resort-style environment.