Photos Andy Calvert
FOR THE RESIDENTS of Rome’s Renaissance Marquis, the relaxed lifestyle and home-like atmosphere they enjoy every day is getting even better. This premier retirement village is undergoing an extended period of renovations of its private living spaces. Steady progress is being made; so far, more than a quarter of the rooms have been done.
Austin Post, Director of Sales and Marketing, says, “We want the best for our residents. That not only means the great care they receive, but also a beautiful apartment to call home that’s thoughtfully designed with their needs in mind.”
Revamped from floor to ceiling
The renovations of the apartments are extensive. The kitchens, for instance, are overhauls: granite countertops and all new appliances. The bathrooms are complete remodels as well, with walk-in showers (with textured safety floors and shower seats), new vanities, light fixtures, and door handles. The living rooms get luxury vinyl trim flooring.
“The LVT flooring gives a more home-like feel with the look of hardwood floors,” says Post. “Carpeting is being provided in some apartments as an alternative. Again, with the residents in mind, we’re using low pile carpeting since it’s easier to navigate for anyone using assistive devices such as a walker or wheelchair,” he adds. The bedrooms have new paint, ceiling fans (with remote controls, no cord-pulling), new light fixtures, and new blinds on the windows.
A satisfied customer
Nell Willis, a recent arrival to Renaissance Marquis, is the very picture of a happy resident. She has an upbeat attitude and is optimistic about her future in her newly renovated one-bedroom apartment. She smiles, adding, “My cat Cleo is nice enough to let me live in her apartment.”
Willis appreciates that she was able to furnish her own space, making the transition to a new life easier. “My own things make it feel like home,” she says. Her lovely curio cabinet filled with her mother’s porcelain Avon Miss Albee figurines is a special comfort to her, and she enjoys sitting on her own couch to watch her Georgia Bulldogs on TV.
“Oh, I love everything about my new place,” Willis says. “The lighting, the flooring. The low counters are wonderful.” When asked if she cooks in her beautiful kitchen, Willis says with a mischievous wink, “Our kitchen staff are too good of cooks for me to hurt their feelings by fending for myself.”
Taking the time to do the job right
The residents of Renaissance Marquis value their privacy and the familiarity of their daily routines. With this in mind, the ongoing renovations are being done in a way that does not disrupt their lives. No one is asked to relocate to another space while their rooms are being worked on. “We only renovate an apartment when it becomes vacant,” Post says.
“If someone requests a renovation, we will move them to another room while that is done, but we would never force the issue.” Post foresees all the units completed within the next two years. “I know that may sound like a long haul,” he says, “but we have a commitment to not inconveniencing our residents in any way during this process.”
