Senior services agency Avenidas is set to unveil their long-awaited enrichment center, which includes wellness areas, classrooms, and a public café.
Set in beautiful downtown Palo Alto, this impressive 22,000 square foot center is the intersection of all things old and new. The building at 450 Bryant Street is rich in history; part of the space was Palo Alto’s former police and fire station, which has been carefully renovated. A newly built section has been connected to the old space, effectively doubling the size of the center.
This expansion project has been at least four years in the making. Preliminary reviews started in July of 2015 and construction began in 2017. Features of the project include:
- A new 11,000 square foot wing, which replaced the dining room with two floors above and an atrium
- An ADA-compliant elevator
- Seismic upgrade of historic building to current standards
- Replacement and update of old mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
The new wing is a three story wellness center that contains a state-of-the-art fitness room, a kitchen and area for cooking classes, new dining hall and dance floor—all with views overlooking the park.
There will be dedicated spaces for art classes, technology, reading, discussion groups, and games, as well as private rooms for massages and podiatry consultations. Office space will also be available for visiting organizations that provide legal, financial, housing and health insurance counseling for seniors.
As for final touches, Avenidas worked with Susi Stadler, an Age-Friendly Design Architect that ensured adequate lighting, clear signage, and a warm, inviting experience for all ages.
Serving the Local Senior Community
IN THIS ARTICLE
In the old space, Avenidas served over 7,500 people and hosted 233 classes annually in a space of 5,600 square feet. While adults over the age of 55 make up one third of the local population, they are set to make up half of the population by 2030.
In order to meet these rapidly increasing needs, Avenidas needed a way to expand the cutting-edge programs and services they offer. With the building expansion, Avenidas will no longer be operating beyond its capacity.
A New Start
Avenidas will be hosting an Open House on Saturday, March 9th. Avenidas members are welcome to view the space between 9am and 11am, and the general public is invited to tour the center between noon and 2pm. Program offerings are set to start on Monday, April 1st.
We are proud of all that Avenidas offers to our local community, and we will continue to support them in their mission to help older adults be as active, engaged, and healthy as possible throughout their lives.
