At Merrill Gardens at Greenville, a $53.2 million assisted living community opened in 2023; residents can take a dip in the outdoor pool, enjoy mountain views as they practice yoga from the sky lounge, sip vino at the bistro and wine bar, and watch movies in a private theater. Or, they can stroll two blocks into the downtown for ballet, line dancing, Qigong, or participate in health classes or a myriad of experiences offered by Furman University’s OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. )

Nestled up against the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the heart of South Carolina’s cultural and entertainment hub, Merrill Gardens at Greenville is the newest generation of Senior Living communities aimed at seniors who are still active and have an interest in engaging with the internal and surrounding communities. In collaboration with Direct Supply®​ Aptura®, Merrill Gardens has successfully redefined active adult living spaces with a focus on modern design and vibrant aesthetics.

“Today’s seniors are drawn to locales with great weather, strong communities and plenty of culture,” said Rebecca Keller, Associate ASID, Senior Lead Interior Designer, Direct Supply® Aptura®.  “They want to be where the action is. Merrill Gardens offers an opportunity for seniors to continue living in the city they love while embracing all Greenville has to offer.”

“We were striving to create an environment for residents that was fresh and modern, but comfortable,” said Gall. “Our community is located in a thriving new neighborhood in Greenville and we wanted the look and feel of the community to fit into the area nicely, but also showcase the lifestyle of living in our community.  We are really pleased with the design and it absolutely met our goals.”

Forming a Partnership for Excellence

Working in a close partnership with the Aptura®  team,  Merrill Gardens found not just an interior designer consultant, but a full-service Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) project management team. From the get-go, Aptura®  was able to execute from initial start-up heavy lifting to designing a trendy urban space that is modern and cohesive to seniors’ on-the-go independent lifestyles.

Working with Merrill Gardens, the Aptura® team oversaw the selecting and sourcing of furnishings, artwork and architectural touches like the brickwork, creating connections with premier vendors and curating fresh and innovative design selections. Aptura’s project management team worked to secure cost-effective options through their trusted vendor relationships, while simultaneously managing procurement to assure a seamless installation process that met the project schedule.

“The team at Aptura was easy to work with throughout the process,” said Gall. “I felt like they listened to our desires and made everything work – on time and on budget.”

There have been several impactful results:

• Combatting Senior Isolation

Loneliness and social isolation in older adults pose serious public health risks, affecting a growing number of seniors in the United States and putting them at risk for dementia and other serious medical conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies show that about one-third of adults aged 65 and older report feeling lonely regularly, and around 17 percent of seniors are considered socially isolated and lack meaningful connections and interactions. A report spearheaded by the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health (IMPH) claims that social isolation and loneliness are a significant concern in the southern state.

A significant way Direct Supply® Aptura® sought to reduce social isolation and enhance the physical and mental health of residents was through its intentional Senior Living design and proximity to downtown Greenville. Residents can enjoy music at NOMA Square’s Greenville Heritage event, explore Saturday markets, attend jazz festivals, bring a book to nearby coffee shops, try a new brewery, catch a Broadway show, visit the Museum of Art, or hike the trails at Falls Park.
Nodding to the fact that the built environment has a direct impact on people’s quality of life and longevity, it’s crucially located near two medical facilities. Hallways are joined with social spaces such as a café and events hall, plus corridors featuring seating that looks out over a tranquil courtyard.

• Inspiring an Award-Winning Ambience

Focusing on the Blue Ridge/Great Smoky Mountain spirit surrounding the community, Merrill Gardens at Greenville’s Interior Design was recently awarded the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Wisconsin Gold award for the Senior Living: Continuum of Care category.

“When people think of South Carolina, they often think of beaches, but we wanted to pay homage to the Great Smokey Mountains and the energy of the town of Greenville,” said Keller.

The red brick exterior of Merrill Gardens tips a hat to Greenville’s history. The town of Greenville, SC, was chartered as a city in 1868 during the brick manufacturing and stone quarrying boom that occurred in the second half of the nineteenth century. Consequently, there was a surge in the popularity of masonry and masonry veneer for buildings, such as solid brick, stone, or stucco. The Greenville buildings mirror this classic, uniform brick veneer.

The ambience of Greenville living, a down-to-earth place where waterfalls grace the city center and mountain views fill the horizon, also is woven into the interior design.

The crisp and clean two-story white wall entryway is flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a monumental space that greets residents and guests. The staircase leads up to a dining bistro, a second dining area and a library,. giving the entire space the feel of a sophisticated, hotel appealing to multi-generational fashion tastes. It also includes a brick fireplace in the main living room that is designed with brick similar to the exterior.

The decor and artwork of Merrill Gardens at Greenville were meticulously selected to reflect the community. Greenville’s strong hunting and fishing interests are reflected in the “lodge-like space,” said Keller. The artwork includes local photography of nature like, birds and wildlife in the Smokey Mountains. Stunning jewel-toned blue accents in the woodwork, the trellis pattern in the carpet, and the rich caramel-colored faux leather chairs bring to life the Southern charm of the Greenville community.

“Merrill Gardens at Greenville was “inspired by the unique feel of the mountain range and infused with creativity and curiosity,” said Keller. “It brings a brand-new Senior Living community to a sophisticated audience.”

The project takes cues from high-end hotels and incorporating amenities like spa-like wellness centers and an outdoor pool. A cool feature on the rooftop is a clear-glass “garage door” that opens and closes depending on the weather.

“There are so many terrific areas in the community that the residents are gravitating toward in Merrill Gardens at Greenville,” said Gall. “The community table in the restaurant is quite popular. The living room has become the hang-out area after dinner for chatting and nightcaps. The rooftop deck area is fabulous for outdoor events, movies, games, and dining. The views are terrific and the space feels really unique and special.”

The Results

“Since partnering with Aptura®,  there has been a significant interest from the community in touring Merrill Gardens at Greenville,” said Gall. “When people walk in for a tour they are blown away by the look and feel – from the state-of-the-art gym to the various activity rooms and theater to the well-designed apartments.

“I am thrilled with the end product at Merrill Gardens at Greenville. The community is truly remarkable.  I love the fact that when you walk in, you are not sure if you are in a beautiful condominium building, a resort, or a retirement community.  This community will appeal to all people – residents, family members, our team members and people from the community at large,” added Gall.

The successful collaboration between Merril Gardens at Greenville and Aptura® exemplifies the fusion of innovative design and historical context in Senior Living development. The project showcases thoughtful design in creating spaces that are not only functional and beautiful, but also deeply rooted in their local environment, enriching the quality of life for seniors with seamless connection to the community.

1. Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults as a Determinant of Health (imph.org)