For years, the site of what is now known as “The Kensington” was an eyesore in the middle of Sierra Madre. Once the home of a skilled nursing facility and a hospital, the building sat boarded up for years while the property owners tried to find a buyer that would come up with a use that was compatible with the ambience of the town.
Finally, after months of discussions and community meetings, the Kensington developers presented a plan that was overwhelmingly approved by 77% of those voting and complying with the conditions of the city’s downtown preservation ordinance, Measure V in 2012. Construction began in 2013 and the first residents moved into the facility in February, 2015.
As the physical impact of the new facility was of utmost concern to Sierra Madre residents, it s with great pride that on their first anniversary, the announcement that The National Association of Home Builders awarded The Kensington Sierra Madre a silver-level award at the International Builders’ Show 2016 Best of 55+ Housing Awards in Las Vegas.
According to Tim McCarthy, chairman of NAHB’s 55+ Housing Industry Council, “the judges saw [among the finalists] wonderful examples of… innovative floor plans, universal design skillfully integrated into the home, communities with beautiful lifestyle amenities and homes located close to local shops, restaurants and parks.”
The Kensington Sierra Madre was designed by architect HPI Architecture and interior designer Klang & Associates. Additional photographs of the Kensington architectural and interior features can be viewed in our photo gallery…
The old skilled nursing facility which was an eyesore and potential hazard in the middle of town (photo courtesy MVNews archives.)
The Kensington Senior Living Community on Sierra Madre Blvd.
Article by Susan Henderson, Mountain Views News, reprinted with permission by The Kensington Sierra Madre, Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.