Industry newcomer Prevarian Senior Living is introducing new strategies in the assisted-living market as the Dallas-based company expands on established facilities and prepares to open new ones. Company leadership believes there is a already a large need for assisted living and that it is growing. The company’s vision, which includes retirement facilities with spas and salons, and neighborhood-style designs with bistros and playgrounds for grandchildren, is gaining traction in the market. Prevarian expects to expand upon its current growth in Texas to encompass new projects in the Southwest and Southeast. For more on this continue reading the following article from National Real Estate Investor.
A relative newcomer to the seniors housing industry, Prevarian Senior Living is already on an expansion roll. The Dallas-based company recently began construction of an assisted living and memory care facility in suburban Austin, Texas.
The company also is expanding an existing facility in Odessa, Texas. Prevarian plans three new developments a year, plus acquisitions.
“There’s a tremendous need for seniors housing,” says Dodd Crutcher, president of Prevarian. “The business is really in transition form a mom-and-pop industry to a more accepted real estate asset class.”
Prevarian was formed in March 2010. Crutcher started the company along with two partners, Allan Brown, and Kathy de la Vergne. All three worked as real estate executives in health care facility development.
Since the large health care REITs have dominated the purchase of big seniors housing portfolios lately, Crutcher says the company’s strategy is to target secondary markets that have a population of 100,000 or more and are growing.
Prevarian also seeks to partner with local seniors housing or health care companies. “It’s important to have a good operating partner,” says Crutcher. “We look for partners that have a connection to the community where they operate.”
Local touch
In the Austin area, Prevarian has partnered with Trisun Healthcare, a subsidiary of Harden Healthcare, which manages skilled nursing, rehab and assisted living buildings throughout Texas.
Claim up to $26,000 per W2 Employee
- Billions of dollars in funding available
- Funds are available to U.S. Businesses NOW
- This is not a loan. These tax credits do not need to be repaid
Prevarian and Trisun recently began construction of an assisted living building, Wyoming Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care, in Round Rock, Texas.
The building is located across from Trisun’s Park Valley Inn Health Center, which offers nursing care.
The 90,000 sq. ft. Wyoming Springs facility currently under construction will feature 102 assisted living units, 32 of which will be for those persons who need memory care.
Amenities will include a country store, neighborhood bistros, courtyards, a salon and spa, exercise room and playground for grandchildren.
Apartments will consist of small and large suites, and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Unit amenities will include stainless steel refrigerators and microwaves, walk-in closets and emergency call systems.
The building is slated to open in March 2012. Trisun will operate the building. Rents have not been set yet.
Texas Capital Bank of Dallas provided the construction loan for the $15 million project. Crutcher expects returns for investors of a little more than 20%.
Crutcher plans to create a full-service seniors housing company through acquisition and development. “We plan to sell our buildings at some point, but there will be no quick turnaround.”
Full pipeline
The other project under way is the expansion of the Parks Methodist Retirement Village in Odessa, Texas. The 20-acre community is a part of the Sears Methodist Retirement System.
The expansion includes two new buildings: an 80-unit, four-story apartment building for independent seniors; and a separate single-level, 70-unit assisted living facility.
The assisted living building includes 30 units for seniors in need of memory care. The $25 million expansion also will feature a new dining area, a salon and spa, exercise center, library, and computer room.Wi-Fi will be available in the new buildings.
The expansion of Parks Methodist Retirement Village is scheduled to be complete in July 2012.
The Parks’ campus currently consists of 55 independent living homes, 23 assisted living units, and 90 skilled nursing beds. The Sears Methodist Retirement System will continue to operate the community.
Prevarian has a number of other acquisitions in the pipeline, according to Crutcher. “There’s a fair amount of product on the market,” he notes.
The bidding is fierce for high-quality buildings in big markets, he adds. Prevarian is seeking other opportunities in Texas, as well as throughout the Southeast and Southwest.
For now, the company is focused on assisted living and is looking at the possibility of investing in nursing homes. “Independent living buildings are not a priority now,” says Crutcher.
Seniors who move to independent apartments typically have to sell a house first, points out Crutcher. “That sector has been hit hard because of the residential housing downturn.”
This article was republished with permission from National Real Estate Investor.
