INDEPENDENT LIVING
The Variel of woodland hills
The concept, design and construction process that produced The Variel was a masterclass in intentional collaboration, communication and cooperation.
The developer, South Bay Partners, led the team of architects, interior designers, general contractor, and management companies by providing the conceptual objective for what The Variel should be and do when complete.
“Our intent was to design and build a world-class senior living community that would significantly outpace the competition,” says Patrick McGonigle, CEO of South Bay Partners. “To do that, we brought together an architectural firm with years of experience building luxury hotels and apartments; a high-end interior design firm with tremendous luxury resort and hospitality experience; a general contractor for which senior living is central to their business; and an operating management company organized specifically to launch and manage the community.”
The result is The Variel – a senior living community unlike any other in its marketplace, and quite possibly, the world.
Inspired by the experience of a luxury boutique hotel or resort, the design reflects comfortable, approachable West Coast luxury. The palette is tonal and bright, with an abundance of light, like the Southern California skies. Textures and colors are classic and familiar, not avant-garde or trendy.
The Variel incorporates an array of welcoming spaces for gathering and for a variety of activities and group sizes. Spaces encourage shared experiences. Each residential floor has gathering spaces that exude welcoming comfort for people to enjoy each other’s company for a moment, an hour or more.
“We saw it as part of our job to make sure our inherently busy, energetic residents live in an environment that helps them remain independent and active. A unique way we achieved that is through our personalized Zenergy Wellness Center. It combines a variety of exercise equipment, yoga and tai chi spaces, spa, massage, physical therapy, golf simulator and more in a single area of the community. The entire Zenergy program also incorporates access to lifelong learning programs, social activities and other life-fulfilling opportunities for all.”
