Winter Park Construction Breaks Ground on Senior Living Pilot Project in Longwood, Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a growing trend to deliver state-of-the-art senior living retirement and "memory care" services to the nation's growing senior population, Winter Park Construction (WPC), (www.wpc.com), an expert in the design and construction of senior living and memory care projects, has broken ground on Serenades by Sonata in Longwood, Fla. (www.serenadesbysonata.com).

The $4.1-million Serenades by Sonata community will offer memory care services and is the pilot project for the Sonata Health Care Group; its design will be used as a template for future purpose-built Alzheimer's/memory care communities.  Memory care communities are specifically designed to assist Alzheimer's or dementia patients by creating a safe, secure environment and nurturing atmosphere by minimizing disorientation and enhancing individual successes.

"Serenades by Sonata showcases what Winter Park Construction can do in the memory care segment," said Jeff Forrest, WPC President. "We have proven experience in the senior living market with the ability to deliver a project on a fast schedule without sacrificing quality."

Located in Longwood, Fla. (an Orlando suburb), Serenades by Sonata is the first dedicated memory care center to be built in Seminole County since 1998. Expected to open in July, the 34,000-square-foot community will feature 42 private and shared memory care suites and employ 41 people.  The community is divided into three residential style neighborhoods, with each neighborhood providing private living and dining rooms for safe and inviting family visits.  A fully enclosed 10,000-square-foot courtyard offers a relaxing environment complete with circular paths, park benches, arbors and mature trees.

In addition to WPC, key partners in the project are owner/developer Sonata Health Care (www.sonataseniorliving.com), architect Baker Barrios (www.bakerbarrios.com) and civil engineer Klima Weeks (www.klimaweeks.com).

About Winter Park Construction:

With more than $200 million in annual revenue and 1.5 billion square feet of projects completed, Winter Park Construction provides pre-construction, general contracting, construction management, and green building (LEED certified) services throughout the United States. Areas of new construction and renovation specialization include student housing, senior living, multifamily, military housing, hotels and resorts, timeshares and commercial building. Clients include Royal Senior Care, Banc of America Community Development Corporation, Inland American Communities, Lincoln Property Company, Equity Residential and DeBartolo Development to name a few. For more information, visit www.wpc.com.

SOURCE Winter Park Construction