The community of Rancho Santa Fe, due to its historic makeup of sprawling ranches and estates, presented the opportunity to build a place where local seniors could downsize and still stay in touch with their support network. By listening to this community and understanding their needs, our team was able to craft a design that would win over the neighbors and create a place where older adults can age glamorously in the community they know and love. Silvergate Rancho Santa Fe, through architecture and programming that responds to feedback, deeply embodies our understanding of and connection to the community.
By taking inspiration from Lilian Jeannette Rice, the original architect of many of the area’s historic buildings, the design establishes a visual and spatial connection to the surrounding area. The new senior complex has an irresistibly rendered Spanish Colonial and equestrian character that would please anyone but is particularly relevant to the area’s rancho history. In response to town hall meetings, our design team limited all buildings to two stories, and very carefully controlled the perceived scale of the development so as not to disturb the surrounding homes. The site is divided among amenities, apartments and villas, with equestrian and walking trails connecting it to the surroundings. The program offers high end spa amenities with its clubhouse, pickleball, pool, fitness amenities and salon. Residents also have access to a continuum of care including specialized memory care. As a local resident put it during development: “a retirement facility does not compete with our community, it completes our community.”
