~ Renovated Building Adds to Urban Renewal in the City Limits ~

AURORA, CO – The Havana Garden’s resurging retail and entertainment district has a new neighbor. Bella Vita, a senior living apartment building, opened the first week in June in the newly renovated former Aurora City Hall.

“The site was a perfect fit for this type of senior community,” said Dennis Witte, President and Owner of Omni Development, the owner and developer of Bella Vita.  “The Aurora area is filled with  baby-boomers in need of alternative  housing options, and adding to the redevelopment of the Havana Street area was an added bonus to our development team.”

The renovated one-time Aurora City Hall now houses 86 apartments within the 8 story, controlled access building that  appeals to those 55 years and older who are interested in a community-living situation. Rates range from $1,085 to $2,500 per month and include utilities, internet and cable, a live-in caretaker and a daily full-service concierge. Bi-weekly housekeeping, a specialty coffee and juice bar and trash pick-up at your door are also included in the monthly fee.

The building began life as the “Camelot II” multi-tenant office building before Aurora leased the building for its City Hall for 10 years.  The growing city needed offices in a central location, and the Havana Street site was used until Aurora completed its city center complex. With the building sitting vacant since for the past several years businesses and residents along Havana Street were eager to learn of the plans to open Bella Vita.

“The Havana Business Improvement District runs 4.3 miles along Havana Street from 6^th Avenue to Dartmouth at the Aurora/Denver border.  As executive director of the Havana BID and speaking on behalf of the BID’s 9-member board, I can say that we are truly excited to see redevelopment of the Camelot II building,” said Gayle Jetchick, Executive Director of the Havana BID. “We welcome and support the new Bella Vita active senior living facility.”

Bella Vita is operated by Ontrac Management Services, affiliated with Chicago-based Covenant Retirement Services. The organization is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior living service providers and has been providing care since 1886.

“With the opening of Bella Vita, we’re here to serve a wide variety of individuals ,” said Peter Milbourn, Senior Living Manager at Bella Vita. “Our senior living community is an excellent alternative for active seniors who want the freedom from home maintenance while enjoying a great apartment home in a convenient location.  Knowing that one monthly fee covers your expenses is a tremendous benefit.”

Bella Vita residents will enjoy a new senior living concept designed for the active adult.   Amenities have been included to encourage residents to frame their own lifestyle and to make personal decisions for their well-being.   The building includes a grand living room with a fireplace, a large-screen TV room, game room, fitness center, and resident meeting and party room. Bella Vita hopes to attract adults who want to maintain their active lifestyles while surrounding themselves with others of similar ages and interests.

“The property’s unique features were mirrored around feedback Covenant Retirement Services and Ontrac have received from other communities we’ve worked with in the past,” said Milbourn. “Residents pay for what they most need and want, without having meals included in their rates.  And, if a resident is interested in adding services, our concierge will assist them in finding just the right service to fit their need. We’re encouraging residents to continue living their active lifestyles while preparing for  their later retirement years.”

“I am eager and excited to be moving into Bella Vita Senior Living apartments, because it allows me to enjoy the convenience, security and comfort of home, without the details of maintaining a home,” said Don Williams a Bella Vita resident. “Combine all of that with a culture and environment conducive to meeting new and wonderful people that share the same personal interests and ideas. Most rewarding is its location, nestled on the Gardens Mall of Havana, near banks, shops and services necessary for a thriving community. Bella Vita embraces the community with a safe, secure, healthy and active lifestyle that would make any senior proud to be a resident.”

With the opening of Bella Vita the City of Aurora and surrounding communities will now be serviced by the CovenantCare at Home network. The program collaborates with area hospitals, physicians and residential care facilities to provide Medicare-certified homecare, personal care and hospice services in home environments.

“Research shows that individuals heal faster in their home environments,” said Milbourn. “In addition to Bella Vita residents receiving free wellness education provided by CovenantCare at Home , we are excited to offer  at home care services to the currently underserved Aurora area as part of our move into the community.”

Bella Vita senior living is now open and taking reservations.  For more information, call 303-500-7002.