Brio Living Services Announces Master Plans for Major Expansion Project
Brio Living Services is exploring plans to expand its Porter Hills Village community, which has served older adults in Grand Rapids since 1970.
“The core portion of Porter Hills Village has served this community for 55 years, providing a bedrock of exceptional, nonprofit, faith-based senior living in Grand Rapids,” said Steve Fetyko, President & CEO of Brio Living Services. “We are continually exploring ways to ensure we provide the best possible environment for older adults to live and thrive. Now is the time for a replacement building that will serve the community for the next 50 years—for the 400 older adults who call Porter Hills Village home, now and in the future, and for the 250 Brio team members who make their careers here.”
The scope of this transformational project is a 250,000 square foot building to replace the existing assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing buildings, and the construction of an additional 55-60 independent living apartments to meet the continued growing demand in Grand Rapids, according to Fetyko.
“The current project is estimated at approximately $120-130 million,” said Fetyko. “We will be soliciting bids this summer for this work so we can finalize costs and financing plans to take back to our Brio Board of Trustees for final approval.”
The UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, the fundraising arm for Brio Living Services, is embarking on fundraising efforts to assist with this project, according to the Foundation’s President & CEO, Kelli Smith, CFRE. “Our Foundation plays a key role in supporting a portion of the building and programming costs to allow us to go above and beyond in delivering the exciting spaces, care, and services that support a meaningful life for older adults,” said Smith.
Grand Rapids is an Age-Friendly community, in partnership with AARP, and was renewed in January 2024 as a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
“According to AARP, Michigan is the first state—this year—where the number of residents 65 and older outnumber those that are 18 and younger,” said Fetyko. “This is a decade ahead of the national aging projection. In some Grand Rapids neighborhoods, 20%, or one in five, residents are 65 or older. In order to live out our vision of a world in which all are empowered to age well, it is Brio Living Services’ honor, mission, and responsibility to provide the utmost in high quality care and innovative services for the older adults of today and tomorrow. This transformational project at our Porter Hills Village community is an integral part of that.”
To determine what older adults are looking for in retirement living, Brio Living Services has conducted comprehensive market studies as well as focus groups with current and potential residents in developing its master planning. “In addition to providing the physical environment that those we serve at Porter Hills Village expect and deserve, we are also designing spaces and amenities for older adults to live a vibrant, joyful life. These include top-notch dining, wellness space, and spaces dedicated to life enriching activities,” Fetyko said.
Over the last several years, Brio has invested more than $30 million into Porter Hills Village, continuing Brio’s commitment to the Grand Rapids community, according to Fetyko. Brio Living Services recently completed 26 new independent living apartments called The Ravines. Named for the picturesque views its residents will enjoy of the nearby woodlands, The Ravines offers spacious apartments, 1,360 to 1,480 square feet in size, each with featured amenities, including a fully equipped kitchen with full-sized appliances, 9-foot ceilings, high-quality finishes, and individual garage and storage spaces. Residents will begin moving into The Ravines at the end of June.
James Kelly, Brio’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, said, “What separates Porter Hills Village from other senior living organizations is its 50+ years of experience in the Grand Rapids area. Brio Living Services is pleased to continue its investment in Porter Hills Village and in the broader community. We recognize the importance of providing older adults—of varying needs and income levels—with the living accommodations, care, and services they desire to live life to the fullest. I am very excited for the possibility of the further expansion of Porter Hills Village, and I look forward to sharing the news with the public and even starting to accept reservations from people for their vibrant new homes at Porter Hills Village.”
Pending final approval from the Brio Living Services Board, construction on the Porter Hills Village expansion could begin in a few months. “We anticipate seeking final Board approval later this summer and, depending on market conditions, could start construction as early as Fall 2025, with completion as soon as early 2028,” said Fetyko.
Learn more about Brio Living Services and its 23 locations and service lines, providing a variety of retirement options for older adults of all income levels.