The latest U.S. census1 found that nearly one in three adults (32.1%, to be exact) is 55 years or older. Within that population is a vibrant group of adults, many of whom are still working or just entering a period of transition in their family and home life. It’s with this group in mind that Kisco Senior Living brought The Carnegie to Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Joining Kisco’s 30+ properties nationwide, The Carnegie is the newest of five luxury, resort-style Signature communities.
Jennifer Pastora, general manager at The Carnegie, shares, “Our Signature communities are state of the art, offering everything from the latest technologies to things like music lounges and art galleries, saltwater pools, and multiple dining venues. This style of living really feels like a luxury resort.”
The Carnegie offers residents an abundance of amenities, activities, and spaces, each designed around “The Art of Living Well,” the company’s central philosophy.
David Zoutendam, assistant general manager at The Carnegie, says, “You as a human are comprised of many different areas. It’s not just whether you’re physically healthy. Artistic, intellectual, spiritual—they’re all important and all part of the nine dimensions of wellness. By programming to them, we hope our residents will find a sense of purpose and wholeness.”
Find daily joys
Opportunities abound, with more than a dozen optional activities offered each day that tie to various aspects of wellness.
“‘The Art of Living Well’ calendar is kind of like a healing journey for residents. A lot of residents have had changes; it’s our job to help them find that sense of purpose again,” says Zoutendam.
The community is home to TRX equipment, multiple fitness centers, salons, a podcast recording studio, a dog park, and more. Residents also have access to house cars, weekly housekeeping service, and a 24/7 valet.
“We’ve converted a section of our P-1 lower-level section into an arts barn. Our members have full access to a clay studio with a kiln so they can fire onsite. We’re also building a woodworking shop,” says Zoutendam.
Materials and supplies for the onsite activities, along with most special events, are included in the living costs.
Curated experiences
While The Carnegie offers four defined living scenarios to serve the full continuum of care, its East Tower brings a full suite of programming, elevated living accommodations, and vibrant spaces to its residents to truly deliver on luxury living.
“Our community is full of purposeful architectural design with really intentional spaces,” shares Pastora. “Our entire first floor is dedicated to nooks and crannies. For example, the music lounge has a speakeasy feel—it’s nestled in a corner that’s a little harder to find. We have three beautiful walking paths, each with its own experience. Even the community’s orientation is intentional: To the front, we have a beautiful urban sunset view, and in the back, we have 72 acres of protected green space at Malcolm King Park.”
Dining at The Carnegie is another extension of resort-style living. Residents have their choice of three defined experiences: a casual bistro, a Hispanic-flair bar, and Forge ‘n Fire, the community’s more formal dining space.
“Forge ‘n Fire is the crown jewel. You’ll find beautifully set tables with multicourse meals, each of which features tableside dining experiences. That could be a Caesar salad, Baked Alaska, or French press coffee made right at your table. The idea is for you to have a true dining experience with every meal,” says Zoutendam.
The Carnegie has also cultivated numerous partnerships with the local community, which further enhance residents’ access to unique experiences and immersions.
The Carnegie is now the Osher Lifelong Learning seat for Montgomery County. This brings a full suite of classes—about a dozen a week—directly to the community’s event spaces and 200-seat lecture hall.
Through its partnership with the city, The Carnegie is a title sponsor of the Gaithersburg Book Festival and recently hosted a private authors’ reception.
Rooftop IV infusions, a private lecture and happy hour with former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez, and a residents-only reception with Carl Bernstein are just a few of the notable experiences residents have enjoyed through The Carnegie’s club-level living and red-carpet series.
Partnerships with the Kennedy Center and Library of Congress bring private pieces directly into the community, and also afford residents discounted entrances to off-site explorations and exclusive events. A Forbes Travel Guide partnership helps the community create ongoing bespoke experiences, both through travel opportunities and everyday moments.
Pastora says, “Members can really dive into passions and continue to explore.”
“It comes down to choices. Every hour here, there are multiple choices. From where residents dine, to how they interact. Too often in senior living, people feel their choices are taken away. Our goal is to bring choices back,” shares Zoutendam.
To learn more about The Carnegie and explore the full suite of amenities, please visit https://lifeatthecarnegie.com/.
1 https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2020/census-briefs/c2020br-06.pdf
