The new independent living residence expands on an existing assisted living and memory care community, giving residents access to a full continuum of care within one connected community.
KTGY, an award-winning national design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments, and urban design, along with MorningStar Senior Living, have announced the grand opening of MorningStar of Pasadena. Located along the Fair Oaks corridor, the five-story building brings 76 independent-living units to MorningStar’s existing assisted living and memory care community on the site.
KTGY’s architecture team designed the building as a natural expansion of the existing community, creating one campus and offering a comprehensive range of care. This design allows residents to transition seamlessly, moving from independent living to assisted living without leaving the property. To streamline day-to-day operations, administrative spaces remain centralized in the existing building, supporting integration between the two buildings and reducing the logistical demands on staff.
Connecting the two buildings presented a unique structural challenge, as the existing community is concrete-framed, while the new building uses a wood-frame structure. KTGY developed a ground-floor connection between the two systems, allowing the buildings to function as one cohesive campus while working within the existing building’s structural limitations.
MorningStar of Pasadena is designed to complement the existing structure’s aesthetic. Earth tones and a formal massing echo the assisted living and memory care building, while contemporary detailing gives the independent living addition its own identity. KTGY took a hospitality-driven approach to the design, creating an arrival experience reminiscent of a boutique hotel. Particular attention was given to the pick-up and drop-off area, as well as the front-of-house amenities, to create a welcoming and elevated first impression.
The building offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom homes, along with its own suite of amenities, including a kitchen and dining venue, bistro, theater, club room, fitness center, pool, terrace, spa, and roof terraces, many of which open to views of the San Gabriel Mountains.
“As we think about the future of senior living, design has an increasingly important role to play in supporting residents’ physical, social, and emotional well-being,” said Ben Seager, Principal at KTGY. “Thoughtful environments can encourage residents to stay active, build meaningful connections, and engage with their community. At MorningStar of Pasadena, we brought that philosophy to life through indoor and outdoor amenities that foster resident connection.”
Project Details:
| Address: | 995 S Fair Oaks, Pasadena, CA 91105 |
| Developers: | MorningStar Senior Living |
| Architecture: | KTGY |
| Site Area: | 20,869 sf (0.48 ac) |
| Number of Units: | 76 |
| Unit Mix: | 5 studios, 41 one-bedroom, 30 two-bedroom |
| Unit Plan Sizes: | 484 – 1,166 sq. ft. |
| Density: | 158.6 du/ac |
| Amenities: | Kitchen and dining, bistro, theater, club room, fi tness center, pool |
| Stories: | 5 |
| Parking: | 87 spaces |
| Construction Type | IA, IIIA |
About KTGY
Design lives at KTGY. Founded in 1991, KTGY is an award-winning fi rm of architects, designers and planners that realize new possibilities through inspired design. Everything we do, from architecture and interior design to branded environments and urban design is based on a people-centric storytelling and design process that creates memorable experiences nationwide. Guided by our mission to bring innovative design to all people and places, we partner with our clients to envision spaces that make a positive impact on people and their communities. Visit www.ktgy.com.
