Willow Valley Communities held a press event Wednesday morning to provide updates on Mosaic, the 20-story, 146-unit apartment building for ages 55 and up that the nonprofit plans to build in Lancaster.
Mosaic is to replace the dormant LNP print production plant on the northwest corner of Queen and Vine streets. It will stand just north of Southern Market, the C. Emlen Urban landmark that Willow Valley, in partnership with Lancaster Equity and Assets, renovated into a food hub, and which celebrated its first anniversary last weekend.
Mosaic will be Lancaster’s tallest building. Brian Rutter, chief marketing officer at Willow Valley Communities, said it will be “a unique luxury urban retirement lifestyle community meeting the desires of today’s modern senior.”
He said Mosaic will create 100 to 125 jobs and will have an estimated annual economic impact on Lancaster of $12.1 million: $10.4 million related to building operations and $1.7 million in local spending by its residents and out-of-town visitors.
Willow Valley Communities said it does not disclose the construction costs of any of their projects.
Officials hope to start demolition and construction in early 2024 with the goal of a fall 2026 opening. That’s a year later than the originally announced goal of 2025; representatives told LNP the extra year would allow more time to pre-sell reservations.
Willow Valley’s financial model for residents includes an entrance fee, a portion of which is generally refundable, and a monthly service fee that can provide for enhanced care at no additional cost. For Mosaic, entry fees will range up to nearly $1 million and monthly service fees will range from about $4,600 to $6,300, LNP reported.
Lancaster secured the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent Best Place to Retire ranking. Willow Valley officials said Mosaic will continue to attract even more people from across the nation to consider moving and retiring here.
