In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, particularly among the country’s aging population. Amblebrook, an innovative retirement community in the historic setting of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was specifically designed to remedy this social disease. It shatters the mold of the conventional 55-plus community.
Located on 779 acres (315 ha) of bucolic rolling hills, the visionary community has become a beacon for retirees seeking a modern, active lifestyle. Plans eventually call for more than 2,000 homes across five unique neighborhoods.
Chicago-based Crown Community Development (CCD) initially purchased this project, in partnership, as its first age-restricted community. The CCD team then set out to redefine what such a community should look like. The first priority was attractive amenities. CCD invested more than $25 million up front to begin construction before even 50 homes were sold, bucking the industry practice of adding amenities after the majority of residences have been bought. As a result, Amblebrook is one of the most amenity-rich senior communities in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Amblebrook proves that 55-plus living isn’t about slowing down. Every aspect of the master plan is geared toward overcoming loneliness and isolation among the residents. As Amblebrook puts it: “More everyday joy.” To help encourage year-round physical and social activities, especially during Pennsylvania’s winters, indoor amenities include a swimming pool, pickleball courts, and a performing arts theater, to name a few.
Blue Zones model
One of the most unique aspects of Amblebrook is its focus on so-called Blue Zones—regions of the world where people tend to live the longest. Amblebrook’s goal is to provide those same benefits—physical, social, and emotional—by creating a vibrant retirement community unlike any other.
CCD drew on research that consistently shows how active and connected lives lead to better health and a longer lifespan. According to a 2010 article in the medical journal PLOS Medicine, cumulative empirical evidence across 148 independent studies showed that people who maintained strong, meaningful social relationships were 50 percent more likely to live longer, happier lives. Amblebrook was specifically created to address all of these issues and more.
One crucial element is Amblebrook’s collaboration with WellSpan Health Services, a leading healthcare provider that offers a “holistic” approach to wellness. Through WellSpan, residents can proactively manage their health and establish beneficial routines, all without leaving their community. Besides offering physical therapy and seasonal flu shots, WellSpan provides Amblebrook residents with easy access to spas, fitness rooms, nail and hair services, and alternative health therapies such as reiki.
Amblebrook’s outdoor amenities are even more impressive, with idyllic walking and biking trails, and ample seating to take in the mountain views. Inviting spaces are dedicated to socialization and physical movement, including tennis and pickleball courts, fishing ponds, dog parks, gardens, bocce ball courts, grilling areas, and—unexpectedly—mailbox areas, which have become a popular place to catch up with “mailbox friends.” This commitment to well-being elevates Amblebrook from merely being a place to retire; it is a vibrant hub where seniors are encouraged to pursue longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Designing a “wellness campus”
Before the community planning began, CCD invested substantial resources into researching and understanding the needs and desires of the active-adult demographic. Collaborating with 55-plus market experts, CCD was able to make informed decisions about design, layout, and amenities, all of which were specifically tailored to support the primary goals of stimulating the social connections that help lead to a longer, healthier life.
“Our research and understanding of the modern, 55-plus active-adult consumer guided all facets of Amblebrook’s design and, ultimately, the community’s distinct character,” says Deborah Blake, founder of The Ipsum Group and a prominent 55-plus consultant who played a pivotal role in shaping Amblebrook. “We firmly grasped how important it is for residents to keep active and connected with each other, which informed our campus plan offering thoughtfully designed amenities. And not only does Amblebrook offer more amenities than its competition, but the amenities here offer the next level of quality, immersive experience, allowing residents to fully dive into and pursue their passions. Facilities such as the community kitchen with 12 fully equipped stations, performing arts theater, and even indoor pickleball courts allow residents to maintain an active lifestyle all year long, even during winter months.”
When designing Amblebrook’s layout, CCD understood that the social well-being of residents was central to their overall health, and in turn, to Amblebrook’s overall success as a community. Fostering genuine social connections among the residents is the job of Holly Abels, Amblebrook’s full-time lifestyle director. She organizes events, creates volunteer opportunities, and activates amenities that help promote better mental, physical, emotional, and social health in the community.
Abels’ role is essential for connecting the dots between the residents, amenities, and activities. Not only does she spearhead onsite events, she also forms partnerships with local organizations that can add to the overall lifestyle experience. While residents are empowered to be self-sufficient, employing a full-time lifestyle director helps trigger social engagements through numerous activities, such as “pickleball and pancakes,” potluck dinners, and even a two-week cruise to Italy.
Truly active communities revolve around amenities
In the realm of 55-plus, master-planned communities, Amblebrook stands out from its competitors by devoting more than 55,000 square feet (5,110 sq m) of its campus to amenity spaces at Rock Creek Clubhouse and Rock Creek Fitness Center. This plethora of utility spaces, paired with the quality of amenities, motivates residents to stay involved. Whatever a person’s passion or interest—cooking, painting, film, photography, performing arts, pickleball—Amblebrook has more than 40 active clubs to choose from, along with hundreds of special events each year. The sheer number of options means there’s something for everyone: 72 percent of residents participate in events, with 57 percent participating in more than one. These rates shatter industry norms and illustrate the amazing engagements Amblebrook has been able to achieve among its residents.
Amblebrook’s 7,000-square-foot (650 sq m) Boulevard Welcome Center is a microcosm of the larger community, serving as an everyday connecting point for residents and visitors alike. It is one of the most multifunctional, highly trafficked areas in the complex. The onsite cafe offers craft coffees and teas, breakfast, lunch, and pastries. A market carries convenience items such as soups, pot pies, beverages, eggs, produce, and local artisan merchandise. Amblebrook’s collegiate-like campus revolves around amenities such as these to create optimal connectivity.
Beyond the master plan
Amblebrook further breaks the mold for active senior living by embracing the rich heritage of Gettysburg. Located in a town steeped in American history, Amblebrook offers residents a chance to immerse themselves in the area’s dramatic narrative. This synergy with the town and its famous battlefield sets Amblebrook apart from other such developments, which are commonly insular, self-contained places that limit one’s overall exposure to the larger community. The Gettysburg area if full of cultural attractions and local businesses to entice Amblebrook’s residents from their homes, including restaurants, wineries, boutique shops, Gettysburg College, the Majestic Theater, and of course, Gettysburg National Military Park.
Futhermore, Amblebrook’s architectural style deliberately pays homage to Gettysburg’s historic charm, using stone, wood, and batten board patterns in its design. Streetscapes echo the town’s heritage, creating a sense of belonging and continuity. And the location could not be more convenient. Gettysburg is within 200 miles of one quarter of the U.S. population, and only a short drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
Diversity in age-targeted housing
Amblebrook’s five neighborhoods deliver a mosaic of residential options, all crafted specifically for the lifestyle preferences of active adults.
Parkview broke ground first, with 435 total homes, including villas and single-family residences. Grandview, the second neighborhood now open, was designed with 317 single-family homes. The upcoming Highland, Greenway, and Woodside neighborhoods will round out the community’s robust collection of homes.
Five award-winning home builders—Caruso Homes, DRB Elevate, DR Horton, Lennar, and Ward—customize each site, including location, floor plan, and elevation. Crown selected Sutton Yantis Architects, Sharrah Design, and Megan Sherwood Designs as architects based on their expertise in creating immersive experiences, and for their ability to incorporate textures, color palettes, and unique design elements in both commercial and residential projects.
“Crown Community Development recognizes the need to cater to the various financial backgrounds and preferences that exist within the Baby Boomer demographic,” says Blake. “Offering options in price, style, and square footage is crucial to creating an inclusive community where social connectivity can thrive.”
The choice for tomorrow
Although many accomplishments have been celebrated, Amblebrook’s journey is a long-term commitment that’s just begun. It will continue to unfold as new phases open and new points of connection are created.
The upfront investment in Amblebrook’s myriad amenities paves the way for future growth and expansion. Home sales continue to accelerate. To date, more than 425 homes have sold and more than 600 residents now live on campus. Over the next few years, the community’s diversity and engagement will only become richer and more prolific. It’s no surprise that so many people are choosing Amblebrook. Thanks to CCD’s thoughtful and forward-thinking design, Amblebrook offers engagement, activities, and a sense of community at every turn—something this country could certainly use more of.
