NEWS of Columbia Pacific Communities

US-based Columbia Pacific group has tied with Nyati group to develop senior living housing projects and will build the first project jointly in Pune at Rs 150 crore investment to tap the expected rise in demand for such properties post COVID-19, a top company official has said. Columbia Pacific Communities, which is part of Seattle-based Columbia Pacific Management, entered into senior living housing in India in 2017 with the acquisition of Tamil Nadu-based Serene Senior Care. At present, it has nine senior living projects, while the tenth one being constructed in Bengaluru. In an interview with PTI, Columbia Pacific Communities CEO Mohit Nirula said the company is bullish in growth prospect of senior living housing segment in India and is targeting to add four new projects every year. “We have formed a 50:50 joint venture with Pune-based Nyati group to develop senior living projects. The first project of this JV will come up in a 200-acre township,” he told PTI. The JV would build around 200 housing units on a 2 acre land parcel within the township. The construction is expected to start next year after taking necessary approvals from regulator RERA and other government departments. The price of an apartment will be between Rs 50 lakh and 80 lakh. Besides senior friendly amenities and medical support, the project will be fully serviced including food, housekeeping and 24-hour assistance. Asked about investment, Nirula said the project cost is estimated to be around Rs 150 crore. The joint venture is in the process of identifying other land parcels as well to develop senior living projects, he said. Nirula said the demand for ready-to-move-in units in senior living housing projects has increased after the outbreak of coronavirus disease. People want to buy or rent flats in senior living projects because of safety and security aspect as well as other services, he added. “We believe that community living and social engagement is the strongest antidote to loneliness and a wonderful enabler of positive ageing,” Nirula said. Property consultant Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri said the demand for retirement homes and assisted living facilities will rise for both rental and ownsership purposes. “COVID-19 and its inherent dangers to the elderly have brought into sharp focus the importance of dedicated and protected facilities aimed specifically at the needs to seniors,” he said. Recently, Anarock came out with a report on senior living that suggested most of the projects are located in south India and tier II cities. It mentioned that India’s aged population (>60 years) is expected to touch nearly 17.3 crore by 2026. Apart from Columbia Pacific, Ashiana Housing, Brigade Enterprises, Paranjpe Schemes, Tata Housing and Max India Ltd’s Antara Senior Living are major players in this segment. Columbia Pacific Communities is currently operating about 1,600 residential units in 5 cities and 9 locations across south India. It has four senior living projects in Coimbatore, two in Chennai and one each in Bengaluru, Kanchipuram and Puducherry. Founded by Dan Baty, Columbia Pacific group has more than 40 years of experience in designing, building and managing senior housing communities globally. Columbia Pacific Management oversees international healthcare business, and develops as well as operates hospitals, clinics and senior housing. Columbia Pacific group has 11 hospitals in India under the brand ‘Columbia Asia Hospitals’ having more than 1,000 beds.

“The administration had advised citizens to stay at home during COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown period. In such a time, those who do not have a rightful home or live in a rented house, especially the senior citizens, faced great difficulties.” Pune: While the need for ‘right-of-way housing’ was underlined during the COVID-19 epidemic crisis, the demand for community housing for seniors is likely to increase in the near future. The administration had advised citizens to stay at home during COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown period. In such a time, those who do not have a rightful home or live in a rented house, especially the senior citizens, faced great difficulties. However, with the end of the coronavirus epidemic, there will be a significant increase in the demand for affordable housing for senior citizens (community living). Mohit Nirula, Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Pacific Communities, which implements the concept of community living for senior citizens, said “According to figures from the Registrar General of India, the number of senior citizens in the country will be 17.3 crores by 2026. Today, the population of senior citizens in the Pune metropolis is over five lakhs. Although Pune is known as a city of pensioners, there is a huge demand for projects with world-class lifestyle and facilities for senior citizens. This need is underscored by the COVID-19 crisis.” Commenting on the community living trend, Pranav Nyati, Director of Nyati Group said, “Given the experience of this COVID-19 crisis period, efforts need to be made to enable the seniors to experience a modern lifestyle, with all the facilities, medical and daily necessities. Senior citizens should be able to live with dignity and independence, an environment that will improve their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. ” New community living project in Pune – Initiative of Nyati Group and Columbia Pacific Communities • First Senior Citizen Living project announced • The project will cover an area of 3.64 lakh square feet in the centre of Nyati County • Includes 200 houses in one and two BHK format • The houses will be between 736 and 1331 square feet • They will cost between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 80 lakh • In addition to the necessary state-of-the-art facilities and medical help for seniors, food, housework and 24-hour assistance

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) US-based Columbia Pacific group has tied with Nyati group to develop senior living housing projects and will build the first project jointly in Pune at Rs 150 crore investment to tap the expected rise in demand for such properties post COVID-19, a top company official has said Columbia Pacific Communities, which is part of Seattle-based Columbia Pacific Management, entered into senior living housing in India in 2017 with the acquisition of Tamil Nadu-based Serene Senior Care. At present, it has nine senior living projects, while the tenth one being constructed in Bengaluru In an interview with PTI, Columbia Pacific Communities CEO Mohit Nirula said the company is bullish in growth prospect of senior living housing segment in India and is targeting to add four new projects every year “We have formed a 50:50 joint venture with Pune-based Nyati group to develop senior living projects. The first project of this JV will come up in a 200-acre township,” he told PTI The JV would build around 200 housing units on a 2 acre land parcel within the township. The construction is expected to start next year after taking necessary approvals from regulator RERA and other government departments The price of an apartment will be between Rs 50 lakh and 80 lakh Besides senior friendly amenities and medical support, the project will be fully serviced including food, housekeeping and 24-hour assistance Asked about investment, Nirula said the project cost is estimated to be around Rs 150 crore The joint venture is in the process of identifying other land parcels as well to develop senior living projects, he said Nirula said the demand for ready-to-move-in units in senior living housing projects has increased after the outbreak of coronavirus disease People want to buy or rent flats in senior living projects because of safety and security aspect as well as other services, he added “We believe that community living and social engagement is the strongest antidote to loneliness and a wonderful enabler of positive ageing,” Nirula said Property consultant Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri said the demand for retirement homes and assisted living facilities will rise for both rental and ownsership purposes “COVID-19 and its inherent dangers to the elderly have brought into sharp focus the importance of dedicated and protected facilities aimed specifically at the needs to seniors,” he said Recently, Anarock came out with a report on senior living that suggested most of the projects are located in south India and tier II cities. It mentioned that India’s aged population (>60 years) is expected to touch nearly 17.3 crore by 2026 Apart from Columbia Pacific, Ashiana Housing, Brigade Enterprises, Paranjpe Schemes, Tata Housing and Max India Ltd’s Antara Senior Living are major players in this segment Columbia Pacific Communities is currently operating about 1,600 residential units in 5 cities and 9 locations across south India. It has four senior living projects in Coimbatore, two in Chennai and one each in Bengaluru, Kanchipuram and Puducherry Founded by Dan Baty, Columbia Pacific group has more than 40 years of experience in designing, building and managing senior housing communities globally Columbia Pacific Management oversees international healthcare business, and develops as well as operates hospitals, clinics and senior housing Columbia Pacific group has 11 hospitals in India under the brand ‘Columbia Asia Hospitals’ having more than 1,000 beds.

Mumbai August 20th: On the occasion of World Senior Citizens Day, Columbia Pacific Communities, India’s largest senior living community operator, celebrates the spirit of un-retirement through a series of social media posts and a special message from actor AnupamKher. In an inspiring campaign centred around the core message of UNRETIRE, they encouragebaby boomers to retire the word “retire”, try something new and pursue dreams they were unable to explore during their pre-retirement years. The campaign UNRETIRE, featuring a video message by Anupam Kher, tackles the underlying ageism prevalent in our society. It emphasizes the fact that age is merely a number and the golden years is in fact the best time to learn new skills, pick up new hobbies and discover unexplored talents. Retirement is usually seen as the end of the road, but the country’s largest senior care brand believes that it’s a new beginning – one with countless new adventures and exciting new challenges. It aligns with the brand’s purpose of nurturing a positive mindset and optimistic attitude; trying to stay healthy and happy by engaging with life and friends meaningfully. Columbia Pacific Communities’ recently launched signature project The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences is designed to help senior residents pursue their hobbies and passion throughout the year by taking the burden of daily chores and other responsibilities off them. The month-long virtual talent hunt PLATFORM 2020 launched by Columbia Pacific Communities also culminates into the grand finale on World Senior Citizens Day. Winners from categories such as photography, music,rangoli, handicrafts, paintings and dance will be declared on this day. While the virtual event was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Dr Kiran Bedi, several brands have joined hands with CPC to support the novel initiative. Sa Re Ga Ma Carvaan has partnered with Columbia Pacific Communities as the Official Gifting Partners for the Music categories and India’s leading photo service Zoomin is the Associate Gifting Sponsor for the event. In all, it will be a day filled with celebration and inspiration. Speaking about the campaign, Piali Dasgupta, Vice President, Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities, says, “”UNRETIRE” is a state of mind, and one that we want senior citizens to actively embrace. Life takes a thrilling new turn at 60, in one’s golden years that one can reconnect with old hobbies, reinvent oneself and give back to society in a meaningful way. That’s what our campaign UNRETIRE tries to convey. We couldn’t have had a better person than MrAnupamKher to share this message of positivity on a very special day such as World Senior Citizens Day. MrKher, after over 500 films and Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan under his belt, believes that his best is yet to come. And that’s exactly the message we have for senior citizens.”

On the occasion of World Senior Citizens Day on August 21, Columbia Pacific Communities is celebrating the spirit of ‘un-retirement’ through a series of social media posts and a special message from actor Anupam Kher. Speaking about the campaign, Piali Dasgupta, Vice President, Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities, said: “’Unretire’ is a state of mind, and one that we want senior citizens to actively embrace. Life takes a thrilling new turn at 60, in one’s golden years that one can reconnect with old hobbies, reinvent oneself and give back to society in a meaningful way. That’s what our campaign Unretire tries to convey. We couldn’t have had a better person than Mr Anupam Kher to share this message of positivity on a very special day such as World Senior Citizens Day. Mr Kher, after over 500 films and Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan under his belt, believes that his best is yet to come. And that’s exactly the message we have for senior citizens.”

Bangalore, August: On the occasion of World Senior Citizens Day, Columbia Pacific Communities, India’s largest senior living community operator, celebrates the spirit of un-retirement through a series of social media posts and a special message from actor Anupam Kher. In an inspiring campaign centred around the core message of UNRETIRE, they encourage baby boomers to retire the word “retire”, try something new and pursue dreams they were unable to explore during their pre-retirement years. The campaign UNRETIRE, featuring a video message by Anupam Kher, tackles the underlying ageism prevalent in our society. It emphasizes the fact that age is merely a number and the golden years is in fact the best time to learn new skills, pick up new hobbies and discover unexplored talents. Retirement is usually seen as the end of the road, but the country’s largest senior care brand believes that it’s a new beginning – one with countless new adventures and exciting new challenges. It aligns with the brand’s purpose of nurturing a positive mindset and optimistic attitude; trying to stay healthy and happy by engaging with life and friends meaningfully. Columbia Pacific Communities’ recently launched signature project The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences is designed to help senior residents pursue their hobbies and passion throughout the year by taking the burden of daily chores and other responsibilities off them. The month-long virtual talent hunt PLATFORM 2020 launched by Columbia Pacific Communities also culminates into the grand finale on World Senior Citizens Day. Winners from categories such as photography, music,rangoli, handicrafts, paintings and dance will be declared on this day. While the virtual event was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Dr Kiran Bedi, several brands have joined hands with CPC to support the novel initiative. Sa Re Ga Ma Carvaan has partnered with Columbia Pacific Communities as the Official Gifting Partners for the Music categories and India’s leading photo service Zoomin is the Associate Gifting Sponsor for the event. In all, it will be a day filled with celebration and inspiration. Speaking about the campaign, Piali Dasgupta, Vice President, Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities, says, “”UNRETIRE” is a state of mind, and one that we want senior citizens to actively embrace. Life takes a thrilling new turn at 60, in one’s golden years that one can reconnect with old hobbies, reinvent oneself and give back to society in a meaningful way. That’s what our campaign UNRETIRE tries to convey. We couldn’t have had a better person than Mr Anupam Kher to share this message of positivity on a very special day such as World Senior Citizens Day. Mr Kher, after over 500 films and Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan under his belt, believes that his best is yet to come. And that’s exactly the message we have for senior citizens.”

The campaign UNRETIRE emphasizes the fact that age is merely a number and the golden years is, in fact, the best time to learn new skills, pick up new hobbies and discover unexplored talents. On the occasion of World Senior Citizens Day, Columbia Pacific Communities, India’s largest senior living community operator, celebrates the spirit of un-retirement through a series of social media posts and a special message from actor Anupam Kher. In an inspiring campaign centred around the core message of UNRETIRE, they encourage baby boomers to retire the word “retire”, try something new and pursue dreams they were unable to explore during their pre-retirement years. The campaign UNRETIRE, featuring a video message by Anupam Kher, tackles the underlying ageism prevalent in our society. It emphasizes the fact that age is merely a number and the golden years is, in fact, the best time to learn new skills, pick up new hobbies and discover unexplored talents. Retirement is usually seen as the end of the road, but the country’s largest senior care brand believes that it’s a new beginning – one with countless new adventures and exciting new challenges. It aligns with the brand’s purpose of nurturing a positive mindset and an optimistic attitude; trying to stay healthy and happy by engaging with life and friends meaningfully. Columbia Pacific Communities’ recently launched signature project The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences is designed to help senior residents pursue their hobbies and passion throughout the year by taking the burden of daily chores and other responsibilities off them. The month-long virtual talent hunt PLATFORM 2020 launched by Columbia Pacific Communities also culminates into the grand finale on World Senior Citizens Day. Winners from categories such as photography, music, rangoli, handicrafts, paintings and dance will be declared on this day. While the virtual event was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Dr Kiran Bedi, several brands have joined hands with CPC to support the novel initiative. Sa Re Ga Ma Carvaan has partnered with Columbia Pacific Communities as the Official Gifting Partners for the Music categories and India’s leading photo service Zoomin is the Associate Gifting Sponsor for the event. In all, it will be a day filled with celebration and inspiration. Speaking about the campaign, Piali Dasgupta, Vice President, Marketing, Columbia Pacific Communities, says, “” UNRETIRE” is a state of mind and one that we want senior citizens to actively embrace. Life takes a thrilling new turn at 60, in one’s golden years that one can reconnect with old hobbies, reinvent oneself and give back to society in a meaningful way. That’s what our campaign UNRETIRE tries to convey. We couldn’t have had a better person than Mr Anupam Kher to share this message of positivity on a very special day such as World Senior Citizens Day. Mr Kher, after over 500 films and Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan under his belt, believes that his best is yet to come. And that’s exactly the message we have for senior citizens.”

It is a fact that an individual’s physical prowess and capabilities change over time, especially as one moves from his 50s to 90s. Therefore, senior living communities, which majorly house senior citizens, should be designed meticulously, keeping in mind the increasing needs of the residents. While one can indeed stay fit through physical, mental, intellectual and social exercises, it is important that the physical surroundings that one resides in is designed to accommodate these changes. It is for this reason that communities, where the majority of residents are seniors should incorporate elements that allow for changes that are both natural and inevitable. While designing a senior living home, one needs to ensure that all the public spaces within the community are usable and accessible throughout the resident’s lifetime. Falls, because of the lack of stability and balance, is the single biggest danger for seniors as they age over time. The entire community should be free of steps and transitions. It is important that walking surfaces be slip-resistant. Matte rather than glossy finishes on the floor provide better balance. Rounded edges for wall corners help in reducing the seriousness of injuries from falls. Wall-mounted rails for the support of residents can also play an important role in reducing falls. Equally, the lighting consultant should ensure that his/her design complements the architect’s efforts in providing residents with a consistent level of light and shadow-free public spaces. Over time it is normal for some residents to require mobility support – walking sticks, walkers and wheelchairs. Communities designed for seniors should ensure that the circulation spaces, i.e. the corridors on resident floors, public spaces and elevators, allow for easy movement. Hence, the corridors should be wider, the elevators should be more spacious, and the circulation space in public areas should be clearly defined. It is also for this reason that the elevator doors are set up to remain open for longer than their default setting. Public spaces are the hive of all activities in a community. With loneliness being the biggest accelerator of age-related ailments, the communities must offer large open spaces – both indoors and outdoors to provide the residents with an opportunity to meet and interact. Senior communities dedicate up to 6-8 times of habitable spaces to public areas as compared to mixed-family condominiums. These spaces should allow for physical activity, intellectually challenging games, and stimulating engagements. Equally, public spaces should be flexible to allow for small private gatherings and larger groups. Finally, it is important to ensure that the services and facilities should be managed 24×7 by services and healthcare expert. Such communities must combine the warmth and cosiness of residential space with the service efficiency of a hotel. The service personnel that support these communities should be able to access all parts of the community – both private homes and public spaces. However, keeping in mind the nature of their work, the personnel needs to move faster while carrying all sorts of equipment and movement trolleys. Hence, to ensure safety, the traffic zones for the service team must be kept separate from the circulation space of the senior residents.

The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has provided an unexpected boost for realty companies in the senior living segment. This has emerged a growth segment in an otherwise depressed residential segment. India will be home to 17.3 crore senior citizens by 2026 and realty developers are looking at senior living with renewed interest. Shashank Paranjape, MD, Paranjape Schemes, the oldest player in this segment with 2,000 homes in nine completed projects across Pune, Vadodara and Bengaluru under the Athashri brand, said they have seen a 50% rise in demand and enquiries have increased. As of now senior citizens are still under lockdown and advised to stay at home but he expects a spike in bookings from September 2020 onwards. Even those who had booked and cancelled are re-booking and those who were indecisive are now sure about making this move, said Paranjape. Paranjape is building the largest senior citizen home along with a geriatric hospital in the country at Pune that will be home to 1,200 families with investment of around Rs 1,000 crore. The pandemic has made our senior citizens realise the true value of living here as everything was taken care of during the pandemic from grocery to bank ATMs to medical help made available at their doorstep and even a dedicated Covid Care Centre if anyone needed quarantine or isolation, said Paranjape. He has seen an unusual flurry of mails from NRI children relieved that their parents were living with us and being taken care during the pandemic. There has been a fourfold increase in lead generation and three times jump in enquiries in the last four to five months, said Mohit Nirula, CEO, Columbia Pacific Communities, which has nine projects in India with 1,600 residential units. Every month since June, July and August we have done double of the pre-Covid level business, said Nirula. They were seeing faster conversion than before and sales has doubled, added Nirula. Part of the Seattle-based Columbia Pacific Management, the company that has been building, managing and operating senior living communities in the US, China, Canada and India, is expanding at a rapid pace. Columbia Pacific has just got into a 50:50 JV with Pune-based real estate developer, Nyati Group, for their foray into the senior living asset class. Columbia Pacific said they will be pursuing similar JV models with other developers in the country. Senior living is an underexplored subvertical but in the last four to five months, people have realised the importance on external agency for day to day existence and how it is fraught with risks . Nyati has tied up with Columbia Pacific Communities for their first project in Pune at Nyati County, a gated community project. This 3.64-lakh-sq ft dedicated senior living has 200 units in one and two BHK formats from 736 to 1,331 sq ft and is priced between `50 lakh and `80 lakh and expected to be at the start of the next fiscal year, said Pranav Nyati, director, Nyati Group. The first project in Pune will see investments of around `150 crore and is awaiting approvals, Nyati said. He plans to make similar projects across Maharashtra. According to Anarock Property Consultants, the top 12 senior living players currently have just 55 ongoing or completed projects across the country. Anuj Puri, chairman, Anarock Property, said due to the rise of nuclear families, increased life expectancy and people living across geographies, ‘independent seniors’ are becoming a new demography. “Such seniors do not settle for traditional old-age homes as they prefer and can afford autonomy and the company of age peers in well-equipped retirement communities. A recurring theme of this pandemic has been seniors living alone, struggling for basics, managing without house help and anxious about existing and potential medical issues. The need for homes in a setting where these factors are taken care of is now undeniable,” said Puri. Covid-19 may reshape the future of the senior living segment in India, with demand for such homes set to zoom amid the present uncertainties, added Puri. The 55 projects are split between the top developers in this segment include Brigade Enterprises, Paranjape Schemes, Tata Housing, Ashiana Housing, Max India’s Antara Senior Living, Covai Care, Columbia Pacific Communities, Bahri Estates, Oasis Senior Living, Aamoksh Oneighty, Ananya Shelters and Primus. Senior living facilities are designed with senior-friendly amenities and medical support along with services for food, housekeeping and 24-hour assistance which makes them an attractive retirement home. To safeguard the rights of seniors, according to Anarock, the ministry of social justice and empowerment has defined models for operating and monitoring retirement homes. “With a regulatory body for managing and developing such assets already in place, increased developer activity, the institutionalisation of caregivers and specialised service providers are likely to be the next steps and institutional capital will follow, said the Anarock report.