THW Design

2020 SHN Architecture & Design Award Winner

The Spires at Berry College is leading the way for multi-generational communities offering a new, unique experience for senior living residents with the first CCRC / Life Plan community in northwest Georgia and the first built on a college campus. Referred to by locals as “Berry National Park” for the stunning scenic beauty that spans 24 square miles outside of Rome, GA, a one-third mile walking trail connects The Spires to Berry College and creates a diverse community that serves senior residents, college students, and locals alike.

The continuum of care begins with 187 Independent Living units, including 26 free-standing cottages, a 17-unit lodge, and 144 apartments. The Healthcare Building offers Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing/Short Term Rehabilitation suites. The Spires provides a collection of premier amenity experiences that include dining for every occasion, high-end lounge with serving bar, comprehensive wellness center and spa, full-service salon, and a staffed in-house health clinic that offers physical therapy and exams. Endorsed by the City of Rome, welcoming a ‘dynamic group of residents,” The Spires had only 35 units still available a year before completion.

The Spires was developed on a complex brownfield site that began as a limestone quarry active until 2000. The addition of The Spires and the newly christened Eagle Lake enhances both the site and the lives of the residents it serves. The Spires pays homage to its surroundings incorporating the hues from the surrounding landscape and iconic photography of Berry College. The resident experience is further enriched with TouchTown, a communication program that allows residents and guests access to exclusive news, activities, and dining information through an App on their phone or through large-screen TV screens throughout the community. Additionally, a “Zoom Room” has been incorporated to allow residents to easily and safely communicate with family members and friends who are afar for Book Clubs, Bible Studies, cocktail hours, and more.

Intergenerational interaction is an integral part of The Spires and has led to student employment and volunteer opportunities that foster engagement among seniors and students. Dual-use, walkable amenities on both The Spires and Berry College’s campus further emphasize the inclusivity of the community with residents that engage in courses at the university and students who make use of The Spires’ various lounge and dining areas for studying. Originally apprehensive about sharing their campus with an again generation, students’ concerns were assuaged through marketing and outreach efforts that showcased the benefits of sharing their campus with this generation. Currently, there are 33 students employed at The Spires, and many additional students have enjoyed the benefits of career counseling, leadership, and mentoring that the residents provide. In tandem, the residents, some former Berry College alumni and professors, have engaged in lifelong learning opportunities as well as enjoyed the vitality of interaction with the students.

Client | Berry College

Size | 400,000sf, 26 Free-Standing Cottages, 144 Apartments, 17 Lodge Units

Completion Date | September 2020