CHICAGO, July 24, 2012 – “Welcome home,” said Glenn Brichacek, Executive Director of The Admiral at the Lake. On Wednesday, July 18, the new The Admiral at the Lake, a 31-story nonprofit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located on Chicago’s North Side, held an event to welcome back more than 20 former residents – all who lived in The Admiral before it was rebuilt and opened this year. During the homecoming, The Admiral at the Lake also proclaimed and formalized its official affiliation with Kendal, a system of non-profit communities and services with a history of empowering and advocating for older adults.

Founded in 1858, The Admiral at the Lake is Chicago’s first and longest-serving, not-for-profit senior living community. The new 200 residential living apartment Lifecare community — located on Chicago’s lakefront in a burgeoning neighborhood just 10 minutes north of downtown — provides resident-focused living with garden and rooftop terraces, restaurant-style dining and a variety of spacious, well-appointed apartment homes with unobstructed panoramic lakefront and city views.

“We have a unique community here in that even though we have a brand new building, we already have residents that have been with us for a long time,” said Brichacek. “Some of the residents have been waiting more than five years to return home, and we’re so happy to finally open the doors for their return.”

Several of the returning residents also addressed the gathering. Resident Bettie Coffey told the group of her great feeling of relief as she finally walked into the new The Admiral at the Lake building when she proclaimed, “Ahhhh…I am home.”

Janet Reed, a new resident moving to The Admiral at the Lake, shared, “I am thrilled to be coming to this vibrant community.”

Although the partnership began in 2009, the homecoming also marked the signing of an official proclamation of affiliation between The Admiral at the Lake and Kendal. Kendal’s experience in senior living extends through its 14 communities in seven states, as well as nationwide advocacy and education initiatives. As a part of the homecoming event, staff and residents all signed a proclamation listing the values and vision for the Admiral/Kendal community.  

“When we met with members of The Admiral at the Lake Community, from Glenn to the residents, we were impressed by the community’s mission and sense of commitment to rebuilding a residence that is tailored to the current and future residents’ wants and needs,” said John Diffey, president and chief executive officer of Kendal Corporation. “We congratulate everyone involved for creating a beautiful new home for The Admiral at the Lake residents, and we’re proud to call this a Kendal community.”

“Kendal and The Admiral at the Lake together promise to serve older adults in a new and better way,” said Brichacek. “We’re pleased to have found Kendal through our rebuilding process. They’re a partner that shares our mission and vision of transforming the experience of aging.”

Located at Marine Drive and Foster Avenue just steps from Lake Michigan, the community has 80 percent of the apartments reserved. Residents began moving in July and will continue to do so through the grand opening, currently scheduled for October.