The week’s 10 Questions is with Curt Olson, chairman and CEO of Nexus Companies regarding their new development, Vivante on the Coast, a luxury retirement community in Costa Mesa.
1. Vivante isn’t your typical “old persons” home. What’s the concept behind it?
Vivante is not typical. The brand Vivante stems from the Italian word “Vivente” which means active or lively. Our logo (represented by the three rings) joins our residents, families and team members into one experience. Vivante is all about celebrating the lives of our residents. They have built families, built businesses, have been generous philanthropists, have been our doctors, our veterans, politicians, and our heroes. They have built our great community to what it is today. Vivante rewards our residents and their families for all they have done for us. Great food, rich and diverse amenities, activities, chauffeur service, fitness and wellness programs, and a truly caring and highly trained staff allows our residents to live the lifestyle they deserve. So, no we do not use the term “old persons” home. Vivante is about ENHANCING the lives of our residents.
2. What are the different floor plans available?
Vivante has spacious studios, one- and two-bedroom floor plans ranging from 450 sq.ft to almost 1,800 sq.ft. All of our one and two bedrooms have full kitchens, and washers and dryers, which is very unusual in our industry. We have used high-quality fixtures and finishes such as Caesarstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, etc. We want our residents to have many of the same finishes as in their home. We have 39 two-bedroom suites all over 1,000 sq.ft. Our residents are accustomed to larger and higher quality homes, and Vivante is about quality.
3. What is available in the way of dining?
The culinary experience is special. All of our key staff have been trained at fine restaurants such as the Ritz Carlton and have years of experience. We have created a variety of dining options to keep the Vivante experience fresh. Our dining options, include: Mélange, a chic restaurant open for every meal featuring an open display kitchen, a wood-fired pizza oven, sushi bar, a carving station rotisserie and a temperature-controlled wine locker room; Social Grounds Café, a neighborhood coffee shop where the barista knows residents’ names, serving up fresh pastries, coffee, smoothies, fresh juices, and casual fare prepared fresh daily by our chef; The Grille, a comfortable atmosphere serving exceptional food that features a back patio and views of the putting green; The CRO’s Nest, a sophisticated atmosphere with a full bar, tasty menu items and live entertainment; and the Oak Room, a private dining room that seats up to 14 where residents may entertain family and friends for events such as birthdays and anniversaries. If residents prefer to order in, they can enjoy delicious food from Mélange Restaurant in the privacy of their own home. Outdoor dining is available on the rooftop decks with great views.
4. What about the amenities for the residents?
Vivante is highly amenitized. We have toured hundreds of communities, country clubs, restaurants, etc. and much of what is now Vivante came from other successful ideas. We just put all of it in one community. Vivante has an indoor saltwater pool, a bocce court, a dance floor, a full gym, a yoga deck, a country club-quality putting green, a salon, an art studio, a game room, a library, a rooftop deck, and a dog park. We want our residents to be active through a variety of engaging daily activities such as sunset harbor cruises, book club gatherings, or cooking demonstrations with the chef and more. Like I mentioned, we have something for everybody.
5. I also know you’re dedicated to the wellness of your residents. What do you offer them?
While designing Vivante, we saw communities that “worked” and many that did not. There was a feeling of energy and life within the atmosphere – you could sense it the minute you walked through the door. We knew Vivante was going to be different. We have emphasized nutrition, physical activity, brain fitness and socialization, and we strongly believe those core concepts lead to happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives. We want to give our residents and their families’ peace of mind when it comes to health and wellness. We have licensed nurses on staff 24/7 to promote an active and healthy lifestyle as well as on-site physical therapy and trainers. By taking care of everyday necessities for residents, we can allow them to enjoy all that Vivante has to offer. We provide a 24/7 concierge, personal care and assisted living services, a chauffeur service, pet care, move-in services, housekeeping, physical therapy, personal shopping and laundry services. We are also bringing technology to our residents. We provide an iPad to each resident, and are creating our own application which will allow residents to communicate with family members or for family members to communicate with us. They can see activities and menus, or ask for help with repairs or other items. Our goal is to make it easy and it will bring peace of mind.
6. So does the site include more than just the buildings?
We have great outdoor spaces such as the Palm and Serenity Courtyards with barbecue areas, fire pits, a large Jacuzzi and beautiful landscape. The grounds are designed to maximize the use of outdoor relaxation and recreation. There is a putting green, two rooftop decks and a dog park for our residents’ pets. Surrounding the dog park we have created a 2.5-acre green park area. Lush landscaping is all over the property. Being on almost seven acres, we can create great outdoor spaces.
7. How can you attract younger people to come and visit?
With all that we provide, we are seeing people of all ages. The common thread among all of our committed residents is they want an active life in a quality setting. We support frequent visits from family and friends, and we are able to entertain all ages throughout our different dining options, recreational activities, and entertainment venues. Children can play in our fun zone while adult children can enjoy appetizers and drinks with a view on the rooftop deck. It is a vibrant community and that is exactly what we intended.
8. When is the project expected to be completed?
The community is set to open in the fall of 2013.
9. Where can people come to see the plans, models, etc?
Our Leasing Center at 320 West Coast Highway in Newport Beach is open for tours from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sunday by appointment. Visitors are able to tour a one-bedroom unit within the Leasing Center and see a scale model of the project and its grounds. Call 949-629-2100.
10. How has the reaction been to the community so far?
The reception has been very good. The proof is that we have 54 deposits for our community. Each resident cultivates high importance in living life to its fullest, and finding Vivante has given residents a sense of both security and excitement in their futures. Our lenders, investors, staff and our strategic partners all have endorsed Vivante in the strongest terms. We are creating a community within our community. It is exciting, but with that excitement comes a big responsibility. We are agreeing to take care of families and we take that very seriously.
The address of the community is 1640 Monrovia Ave., Costa Mesa. vivanteliving.com