Emerald Heights, an Emerald Communities continuing care retirement community (CCRC), will break ground on its Trailside building from 3-4:30 p.m. on June 14 at 10901 176th Circle N.E. in Redmond. Emerald Heights has already pre-sold 86-percent of the 43 independent living units, and the three-story apartment building is scheduled for completion in summer 2014.

Brief remarks from Redmond City Council President Pat Vache, company leadership and future Trailside residents will begin at 3:15 p.m., and there will be a reception in the new Pavilion multi-purpose building following these remarks.

This latest addition to the Emerald Heights campus represents the last piece in a $60 million improvement plan, which also included the construction of a 12,000-square-foot fitness center and a 10,980-square-foot auditorium building, as well as expansion of existing dining venues and improvements to other common areas. These updates are funded by equity and construction loans.

Emerald Heights also recently completed a $29.845 million refinancing loan based on its “A minus” investment grade rating assigned by Fitch Ratings. Emerald Heights is the only senior living organization in Washington state with an A level rating, which reflects the community’s strong financial position and consistent occupancy levels above 90-percent over the last three years.

“There is growing demand for versatile senior living options, including life care communities like Emerald Heights,” notes Lisa Hardy, president and CEO of Emerald Communities. “Our campus upgrades, addition of dynamic services and top rating from Fitch are great indicators that this model works.”