2Life Communities holds ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the first year of operation and 100% occupancy at Opus Newton

Newton, MA 2Life Communities held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the first year of operation and 100% occupancy of Opus Newton, its first continuing care retirement community (CCRC). The Opus from 2Life Communities model was purposefully developed as an option for middle-income seniors who are often priced out of traditional senior living options, which means they lose out on the health and social benefits that come from living in community. 

“Everyone who lives at Opus has been a partner in creating this beautiful community,” said Amy Schectman, 2Life Communities’ Saul and Gitta Kurlat chief executive officer. “They are responsible for making everything work, not to be served but to serve, advise, reach out, invent and re-invent, and demonstrate caring for each other everyday.” 

The event featured a number of speakers, including Opus Newton residents, who reflected on their experience living in this supportive community that offers them lifetime affordability and social opportunities that promote healthier, more joyous living.

“Opus gave us the freedom to enjoy this stage of our lives in a way we never imagined,” said Opus resident Toby Dondis Farman. “We are creating a loving and supportive community together.” 

The six-story building has 172 one- and two-bedroom apartments with universal design elements that enable residents to remain in their homes throughout their lives, even if their physical abilities change. 

Opus Newton residents leveraged the home equity they built over time to secure a place in the community, which allows 2Life to keep monthly fees low and predictable, and in turn alleviates residents’ fear of outliving their savings.

“We have done something creative to stretch the limited dollars of people who did everything right and were otherwise left out of this market,” said 2Life Communities President Lizbeth Heyer. “This community is more amazing than anything we could have dreamed of, and it sets a course for our future.”

Opus Newton residents also commit to volunteering 10 hours per month within the community, which utilizes their wisdom, builds connections, and helps create a supportive environment. 

“This community addresses two of the pillars of my concept of a new American dream,” said Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). “It is an example of dignified retirement at the age of 65, with affordable housing, creative and meaningful healthcare partnerships that help reduce the cost and expand the access to healthcare, and the social connections that are included here in community living. It also helps achieve being able to buy your own home by 30. Opus residents sold their homes to come here, expanding the housing supply to allow people to stay in Massachusetts and build their families, which makes our Commonwealth richer.”

State representatives John Lawn and Amy Mah Sangiolo spoke about how much they value having 2Life campuses in their districts. Together, they presented an official citation recognizing Opus Newton on behalf of Newton’s House delegation, which also includes state representative Greg Schwartz.

The building’s 31,000 s/f of community space, including art studio, classroom, fitness studio, cardio gym, dining room, library, and lounge spaces, provides ample room for an explosion of exciting programs to happen at the same time. Residents can choose from arts and culture, wellness and health, lifelong learning on a wide range of topics, literature and cinema, curated and informal conversation groups, and holiday and other celebrations. The community center at Opus Newton is shared with residents of the adjacent Coleman House, a HUD 202 housing development that is also owned and operated by 2Life Communities. 

“Opus Newton represents what 2Life does so beautifully: creating vibrant communities where older adults can build friendships, find purpose, and enjoy full and meaningful lives,” said senator Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “I am incredibly proud to represent three 2Life campuses in my district, and I am grateful to 2Life’s residents and staff for helping bring this remarkable community to life. Opus Newton is a powerful example of the promise of aging in community, and I am thrilled to celebrate its opening.” 

Opus Newton was designed to be broadly affordable by including in its monthly fees only what is essential for 2Life’s “aging in community” model. On the healthcare front, two full-time Opus Newton staff, a nurse and a social worker, serve as care navigators, helping each resident develop a personal wellness plan and advising about medical services when needed. In addition, residents have access to an on-site health center with a doctor and nurse practitioner through a partnership with Kronos Health, which emphasizes preventive and comprehensive care. Through a partnership with HouseWorks, residents can also access skilled homecare workers on call 24/7, in smaller increments than typically required. Meals are available seven days a week on an a la carte basis, with three restaurant-style dinners and one brunch weekly.

“Opus provides safe, absolutely beautiful affordable housing for seniors to live, really live as they experience their later years,” said Newton mayor Marc Laredo. “This is an amazing alternative we need in the city of Newton so we can provide housing and opportunities for folks at every step of the way from birth to older age.” 

Outdoors, walking trails take residents to the JCC Greater Boston, Newton Community Farm, and the stunning 55-acre Nahanton Park with its trails, beautiful gardens, and access to the Charles River for canoeing and kayaking.

“Opus Newton has been a remarkable opportunity to rethink senior living by putting community, purpose, and belonging at the center of the design,” said Emily Pierson-Brown, principal for design, Perkins Eastman, the architect for Opus Newton. “Seeing residents make these spaces their own and build meaningful connections reinforces our belief that great design should support us through the evolving stages of life.” 

Other members of the project team behind Opus Newton include Dellbrook, general contractor; Stantec, landscape and civil engineer; Nixon Peabody, legal; and New Ecology, sustainability consultant. Project funders and donors are as follows: Hamlin Capital Advisors LLC, MassDevelopment, Beacon Bank, and 2Life Opus Investment Fund.