Chatting with Tim Webster, The Presbyterian Homes, Inc.

For the past 70 years, The Presbyterian Homes, Inc. has been on a mission to serve older individuals in meaningful ways. For the past 27 years, Tim Webster has helped lead the team that carries out that mission every day.

I sat down with Tim, President of The Presbyterian Homes, Inc., to learn more about how the expansion of Glenaire in Cary, North Carolina, helps them carry out that mission.

The problem was simple, but that doesn’t mean the solution was easy. Glenaire had done such a good job serving their aging population that they were running out of space. Their waitlists to join the community were growing to unacceptable lengths.

Space constraints present a challenge for expansion

It was clear the physical constraints of their property meant an expansion on property was impossible. Glenaire is situated at the intersection of West Cornwall Road and Kildaire Farm Road, less than a mile from downtown Cary. With Town roads to the east and south and homes to the north and west, their property had no room to expand.

In the mid-2010s, The Presbyterian Homes got the unexpected opportunity to buy a three-acre parcel to the south across Cornwall Street. But the team was never able to come up with a satisfactory solution on those three acres; all of their plans seemed to lack the impact they were looking for. They felt stuck.

A few years ago, The Presbyterian Homes was approached by a broker to sell their satellite parcel. The broker had a grocery store client who wanted to combine those three acres with the land where the Carolina Pottery store stood to build a new grocery store. The Presbyterian Homes maintained their vision for growth and service and would not sell. After several months the grocery store changed their plans and was no longer interested in the Carolina Pottery site, so that land was suddenly back on the market.

The Presbyterian Homes didn’t think they had the financial capacity to buy the Carolina Pottery it was too big and too expensive—but as they studied the options presented by a larger assemblage, a grand vision began to emerge.

Assembling a team to explore expansion options

At this point The Presbyterian Homes began to gather their consultant team, including WithersRavenel, Frank L. Blum, Steele Group, and Surface 678. The team set to exploring what they could accomplish with a larger expansion site. The vision began to clarify.

As The Presbyterian Homes began to discuss the acquisition of the Carolina Pottery site, they also began looking at other adjacent parcels. In total, The Presbyterian Homes was able to expand their holdings on the south side of West Cornwall Street from 3 acres to 13 acres.

Glenaire expansion and existing campus to co-exist

Instead of competing with the existing Glenaire campus, the expansion and the existing campus will complement one another. For example, the existing campus already has a beautiful pool, so there is no need for aquatics facilities in the expansion. Instead, The Presbyterian Homes team will expand the fitness capabilities at Glenaire with a fitness center featuring pickleball courts, a half court gymnasium, workout equipment, and room for exercise classes. The expansion will also increase the dining options by an additional three dining venues.

Renovations to the existing campus

The existing campus isn’t being neglected: the amenity spaces and interiors of the existing campus just received $6 million in renovations and improvements.

The larger size of the expansion campus allows for The Presbyterian Homes to provide transportation back and forth across Cornwall so residents on both sides of the street will be able to take advantage of the full breadth of programming and amenities.

Programming

When it comes to programming those activities and amenities, Tim says things have changed over the years. We used to have to program tons of activities to get residents to remain active. Now we listen to what they want to do and provide the space residents bring us the ideas!”

The living quarters were also planned out in such a way as not to compete with existing offerings at Glenaire. The expansion will now give residents the ability to choose from apartments ranging in size from 750 square feet to 2,200 square feet.

Expanded campus amenities

When complete, the expanded Glenaire campus will include:

• 192 independent living apartments
• 35 assisted living accommodations
• An adult day care center that may accommodate up to 50.

If you are in Cary, take a drive by. You will see construction on the outer facade continue on the eastern-facing apartments while interior buildout proceeds on the western-facing apartments.

Tim says that the organization is as much about hospitality as it is about health care. When he gives tours to his friends and peers the reactions are very enthusiastic, with many people exclaiming, “Gee! Can I live here?”

WithersRavenel is proud to have the opportunity to partner with The Presbyterian Homes on this project. The firm provided rezoning, entitlements, survey, environmental due diligence, engineering, and permitting services. We see it as a privilege to have the chance, every day, to help our clients achieve their visions.

About The Presbyterian Homes, Inc.

For over 70 years, The Presbyterian Homes, Inc. has been a leader in the aging living. The mission is to honor God by enriching the lives and touching the hearts of those we serve. PHI is a non-profit corporation serving approximately 2,000 aging individuals in North Carolina through three owned and one managed continuing care communities and an affordable rental apartment community. PHI provides independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing within a community of friendship with others of similar age and diverse interests. Our communities offer a culture of exploration, challenge and relaxation through informative tours, cultural events, conferences, wellness/fitness programs, study, and other activities.