Catch up on the status of the massive Merrill Gardens senior living housing project going up at the Corner of 4th and East Main Street. The 140-room project will bring a lot of new residents downtown. That is an excellent thing. It is alluring that these new citizens will be active new consumers and diners in our downtown core, quickly becoming a food and entertainment destination.
The downside is the mass of this building which the architects indicate will blend “seamlessly” into the surrounding neighborhoods and older buildings. That remains to be seen, but it is not a bad-looking building. From the air, we could see how things are going and how this scale will look.
Have a look at the video and weigh in with your thoughts. Will it fit in? What are your thoughts?
It’s jarring now as a big steel frame with tarps and visible elevators, but I think it’s going to be a better match once completed. Also, it’s going to be nice to have 140 units worth of foot traffic down there once this is all over. The similar developments that ring Old Town Beaverton seem to have helped the cause there. Would love to see what this project does here.
I agree Jason – I think once completed it will fit in better sitting across the street from the 4th & Main building. As a long time downtown business, we look forward to this new group of residents – as you know, we own an antique business and we carry the kind of stuff at Le’Stuff Antiques that this group will appreciate. And Dirk is right – these folks will be a welcome addition to all of Downtown Hillsboro’s businesses!
Are all of the apartments assisted living or are some independent? If they are all assisted living, the value to downtown remains to be seen. Many ALF residents rarely leave their homes. This may be offset by family visits in the area. Still, I see no downside other than the size of the building.
Pam, according to their website – they offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care at communities across the United States. I believe it’s similar to The Springs and a few other new high end senior living facilities in the area.