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Published: January 19 2016

East Ridge at Cutler Bay has been awarded a prestigious LEED Platinum certification for its environmentally-developed Three Palms Health Center, a $70 million assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care community, now readying for its formal opening.

Recognition was announced by the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Certification Institute, US Green Building Council, Washington, D.C. on Dec. 15, based on building construction and installations meeting quality standards for structure and design.   

“We are delighted to have met nationwide standards of excellence of environmentally-conscious development for this new addition to one of Miami’s oldest life plan communities,” said Rick Drew, director of sales and marketing for East Ridge. “Providing the highest environmental standards for the Heath Center is especially significant for service areas that include assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing residences. The LEED Award confirms the leadership qualities that East Ridge at Cutler Bay has traditionally maintained for its residents.”

Among several green building strategies targeted by the project team of AG Architectural of Wisconsin and LECESSE Construction were integrated design resulting from a community charrette with resident participation; ease of access by pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicle transportation; erosion control protection during and after development; high-efficiency water system; energy and atmospheric elements guaranteeing fresh air flow; low-emitting material usage and an in-place recycling and waste management plan.

The new Health Center stands as a premier example of sustainability following adoption by East Ridge at Cutler Bay in 2010 of newly-established nationwide green practices focused on recycling and education programming. As the only life plan community in Miami-Dade, opening the Health Center offers the latest standards of assisted living care with individual services of memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation accommodations.

Three Palms at East Ridge replaces the 54 year-old community’s current skilled nursing facility to continue bringing a state-of-the-art health center to Cutler Bay area residents as well as East Ridge residents. Services and accommodations offered at the Three Palms Health Center are open to the public and not exclusive to residents of East Ridge.  The skilled nursing and rehabilitation services accept Medicare and private insurance. 

The community features 90 private assisted living apartments with studio suites and one- and two-bedroom residences in Palm Court; 31 private suites in its Palm Lane area for memory care; and the Palm Terrace skilled nursing center with 74 private rooms. The building also accommodates home health services and medical offices, a new community dining room and bistro for independent living residents and laundry facilities.

Technological features include TV monitors located throughout the building to inform residents of daily events and activities and electronic monitors for charting accessed directly by nursing staff rather than from a centralized nursing station.  A country kitchen is available where staff can prepare snacks and meals at residents’ requests. The atrium concept of Three Palms affords each of the three separate components to enjoy natural lighting and garden areas. 

Under construction for the past year, the new building was designed to blend architecturally with East Ridge additions which include the community’s fitness center and lifestyle-activity buildings. A Key West-inspired architectural style was designed by AG Architectural which originated the concept for overall expansion of the campus with a unified architectural theme.

About East Ridge at Cutler Bay
Celebrating over 50 years serving Miami-Dade County, East Ridge at Cutler Bay, a SantaFe Senior Living Community, is the area’s only life care community incorporating eight components of wellness: social, vocational, intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional, and environmental and health services in every facet of its lifestyle.  The community draws from the rich neighborhood charm of suburban Cutler Bay and the vibrancy of Miami in a lush tropical environment of 76 acres. 

East Ridge is located at 19301 SW 87th Avenue and offers a continuum of care including independent living. The new Three Palm health center offers assisted living and memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. For more information, please call (305) 256-3564 for a personal tour or visit. 

About SantaFe Senior Living
East Ridge at Cutler Bay is sponsored and managed by SantaFe Senior Living in conjunction with SantaFe HealthCare, the not-for-profit parent company of Miami-based AvMed Health Plans, Florida’s largest not-for-profit health plan.  Responsible for more than 700 independent and assisted living units in the Florida area, SantaFe Senior Living has a long history of providing high-quality care and service to Florida’s seniors.