Construction Begins On New Living Center At One Wartburg Place

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Construction began today on Berkemeier Living Center, which will offer independent, assisted living and nursing home care to people affected by Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Berkemeier Living Center will open at One Wartburg Place, a senior care center in Mount Vernon. The 50,500-square-foot building will be made up of 32 private and 32 "semi-private" residences, and it will be dedicated to Alzheimer's and memory care.

Each residence will resemble a small-scale household, officials said, with living and dining rooms, kitchens, large windows and good views.

Staff at nursing, rehabilitation and memory care centers at One Wartburg Place will assist Berkemeier's residents, and the building's first floor will have an event space, a music therapy room and administrative space.

Mount Vernon city officials and community members approved the building, and project management and construction firm Lehrer Cumming is overseeing its construction.

"It was a pleasure working with Lehrer-Cumming, KDA Architects, Consigli Construction, McLaren Engineering, and the many other members of Berkemeier design team," said David Gentner, Wartburg's president and CEO. "I believe collectively we are building a market leader residence for those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia."

Heather Fuhrman, a project director at Lehrer Cumming, said she recently read that around 14 million Americans will need specialized care by 2050.

"Having the opportunity to work with Wartburg and this project team, to support families and caregivers navigating this disease has been a humbling and enriching experience," Fuhrman said.