Pathway to Living, a Chicago-based specialist in senior housing, has broken ground on Aspired Living of La Grange, a 116-unit assisted living and memory care community at 35 Shawmut Ave. in west suburban La Grange.

Slated to open in January 2020, the five-story community will offer 84 assisted living apartments and 32 memory care units adjacent to Gordon Park. The assisted living portion of the development will include a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units, while the community’s first floor will house studio apartments for residents requiring memory support.

The property's circular layout will encourage movement and activity, according to the developer, while a private courtyard will allow residents to enjoy the outdoors in a safe setting.

Other memory support amenities include a kitchen where residents can cook with neighbors and Pathway employees, as well as a sensory room that offers therapeutic experiences through touch, sight and sound. Residents with dementia will be provided a specialized programming from Pathway to Living’s A Knew Day memory care.

The La Grange community is the third by Pathway since the company formed an equity partnership with Chicago-based Waterton. Pathway now has 32 communities operating or under construction in the Midwest.

Nationwide, growth in senior housing development has put a dent in occupancy. According to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, occupancy in U.S. seniors housing averaged 87.9% in the second quarter, down 40 basis points from the previous quarter and off 80 basis points from a year ago.

The occupancy rates for independent living and assisted living properties averaged 90.2% and 85.2%, respectively, during the second quarter, NIC reports. Occupancy for independent living was down 40 basis points from a year ago, while for assisted living it was down 110 basis points compared with last year.