July 24, 2015

Aegis Gardens will offer Chinese food, mahjong and a Zen garden

Images courtesy of Aegis Living [enlarge]

Aegis Gardens will be the first assisted-living community in the Northwest designed for Chinese-Americans.

[enlarge]

A central Zen garden is planned as well as a tearoom, spa, movie theater, library and outdoor amphitheater.

Aegis Living will hold a groundbreaking event from 4:30-7 p.m. July 30 for a 110-unit assisted-living community in Newcastle that is designed to cater to Chinese-Americans.

Opening is set for the summer of 2017.

There will be a lion dance performance, classical Chinese music, and food from Yea's Wok and China Harbor Restaurant.

The $50 million development will be called Aegis Gardens. The 7.5-acre lakeside site is at 13042 S.E. 76th St.

Aegis Gardens will be the first assisted-living community in the Northwest designed for Chinese-Americans. The company said it will be modeled after a similar Aegis project in the Bay Area.

The Newcastle complex will also include memory care units.

Aegis says Aegis Gardens will pair Northwest craftsmanship with Chinese design aesthetics and the principles of feng shui.

Ankrom Moisan Architects is the designer and Compass General Construction is the general contractor.

The five-story residential building will have a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. A central Zen garden is planned as well as a tearoom, spa, movie theater, library, activity center and outdoor amphitheater.

The lakeside location and proximity to trails will allow residents to enjoy outdoor activities such as paddle boating and hiking.

Residents will be served food representing the major regions of China. Traditional Chinese holidays will be celebrated, and activities such as mahjong, calligraphy, cribbage and sit-down tai chi will be offered.

Around-the-clock care will be provided by medical staff who are fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Aegis Gardens has a partnership with the University of Washington Medical Center to provide primary medical care on site.

Aegis says the community will help meet a growing demand from throughout the Northwest. Recent U.S. Census figures show at least 75,000 Chinese-Americans live in King County, with many more in Portland and Vancouver, B.C.

Aegis said its similar community in California has been full since it opened in 2001.

Aegis hasn't set rents yet, but the company says if the Newcastle community were to open today, apartments would begin at $3,500, not including care options. That price could change depending on the market two years from now when the community opens.

This will be the company's 18th assisted-living community in Washington.