Redfish Beck: A New Neighborhood for the Ages

BEAUFORT, SC - Just in time for a new generation of "un-retirees," a visionary developer creates a neighborhood to accommodate all stages of a vital life.

"Growing older doesn't have to mean disconnecting ourselves from an active life or from a community of friends and family," says Meridian Company CEO Chuck Ferguson, who's planning the 16-acre Redfish Beck community in North Beaufort County. "We're creating a neighborhood that offers every amenity for older residents but is anything but 'retiring.'"

A big part of the appeal of Redfish Beck is its location, ten minutes from historic Beaufort by car or just 40 minutes by boat from residents' docks or the community daydock. "This area is a Mecca for boaters and anglers, and there aren't many places left with this sort of deep-water access," says Ferguson.

That means Redfish Beck would be a popular addition to the region's housing choices even without Ferguson's modern vision for "aging in place." Incorporating that vision makes it likely the new community will help define what's next in multi- generational neighborhood living. "We think this is the sort of place Baby Boomers will immediately appreciate, then value even more as they age," says Ferguson.

The Boomer generation is complicating life for retirement industry traditionalists. Trend-setters all their lives, they're less likely to opt for institutional approaches to retirement living or even to call themselves retirees. Yet, as they age, they'll need the same sorts of design amenities, a rethinking of everything from the location of bedrooms to the shape of door handles, as current seniors. What they'll demand are homes and neighborhoods that accommodate those needs in a context that compliments their lifestyle choices.

That's where builders and developers who have helped create Boomers' most admired new neighborhoods have an advantage over retirement industry veterans. "For the last 20 years, we've been designing and building places that Baby Boomers prefer, both as their primary and as their second homes," says Ferguson. "When someone says 'aging in place,' these are the kinds of places Boomers intend to age. Making them more accessible means tweaking floor plans, not re-imagining whole neighborhoods.

"In fact," says Ferguson, "the kinds of neo-traditional neighborhoods we've been building are ideal for aging in place. They are compact, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that mix commercial and residential uses. So when our residents are ready to cut back on driving, they don't have to make lifestyle sacrifices. There will always be plenty of things to do and places to meet friends within walking distance."

What Redfish Beck will offer beyond the built-in advantages of a traditional, walkable neighborhood are supportive services for aging comfortably at home. Meridian's in-house cabinet shop, for instance, will customize counter and vanity heights and drawer systems for ease of use. There will be laundry, housekeeping, concierge services, and even healthy meal plans to take the hassle out of routine chores. Twenty-four-hour security is built in through medical alert and phone systems. And when residents require extra medical attention, assisted living options will be available.

"In the Lowcountry, we take pride in a lifestyle that allows us to be outside and active throughout most of the year. We like being close to the water. And we love the company of friends and family," says Ferguson. "There's no reason we can't design and build neighborhoods that accommodate that lifestyle through every phase of our lives."

Learn more about the Redfish Beck development.
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