When Helen and Jacob Shaham designed The Palace at Coral Gables, they already had built successful senior communities in Florida and Israel. But The Palace was created to set new benchmarks as the best ever in all of America.
This month, the judges at the National Association of Home Builders’ annual awards agreed they had done it — naming The Palace for the top two awards in the senior housing industry, plus four more gold awards.
“Best Independent Community” is the top national award from the 50+ Housing Council.
The “Best in America Living Award” (BALA) for the best in senior housing also went to The Palace.
In addition, The Palace received national four gold awards for 50+ Communities: “Best Common-Use Indoor Space,” “Best Café andDining Experience,” “Best Fitness and Wellness Program” and “Best Lifestyle Program.”
On receiving the awards, Palace president Helen Shaham noted, “We are delighted that the judges who speak for the nation’s top architects, builders and designers all agree with what everyone who lives at The Palace today already knows: There is really no place like it.”
Added Palace chair Jacob Shaham, “After eight years of research, travel and intensive design to perfect our original vision, and all the many hours and dollars to bring our dream to reality, we appreciate the wonderful praise of our peers.
“But our real reward is the smiles from residents we see every day at The Palace,” he added.
“The Palace at Coral Gables was singled out as a community designed for its market,” said award judge Jane Marie O’Conner. “Judges recognized that its developer wanted to deliver a community that was innovative and unique.
“While incorporating features and amenities that would fit the lifestyle of seniors, we saw that The Palace offered the finest in quality and design. The attention to details was incomparable and the community stood out from competitors,” O’Conner said.
“The BALA winners always redefine excellence for the home building industry,” said Victor Mirontschuk, BALA judge chair. “We are proud to recognize these companies and individuals for their creative and distinctive approaches to their work.”
The premise of the lifestyle of The Palace is supporting wellness and health and incorporating lifestyle pillars such as social, entertainment, spiritual, physical, occupational, cultural, educational, intellectual and environmental components. All of this is surrounded by a beautiful ambiance inspired by the iconic George V Hotel in Paris, France, which the design sought to emulate in detailing and old-world classical design.
Residents, who have a choice of activities from early morning well into the evening, compare the lifestyle to that of a “perpetual vacation” and have the option of being as involved or relaxed as they wish. Complimentary daily happy hours offering live entertainment, cocktails and appetizers are a distinction of the community. Special emphasis is placed on weekends and afterdinner events.
The Leasing Center is open daily at One Andalusia Avenue and offers visitors the opportunity to select from the extensive variety of well-designed floor plans. For more information about The Palace at Coral Gables, call 305-445-7444 or visit www.PalaceCoralGables.com.
