National Architecture + Planning Firm KTGY Expands Los Angeles 55+ Studio to Accommodate Rising Demand
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – February 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Award-winning national architecture and planning firm KTGY Group, Inc., has added 55+ housing industry veteran Doug Ahlstrom as a director to lead and expand the firm’s Los Angeles 55+ Studio. With over 35 years of programming, planning, design and construction experience in the age-appealing, age-targeted and service-enriched seniors industry, Ahlstrom has directed and overseen the design of high-end as well as affordable and market rate assisted living and independent care communities, Alzheimer’s/memory support, adult day care, seniors’ special needs and community wellness centers. Ahlstrom most recently served as a director of seniors housing at KEPHART and a principal with Professional Design Consultants.
“KTGY’s decision to create a dedicated Los Angeles studio for 55+ housing reflects the increased demand for 55+ housing and service-enriched environments like continuing care residential communities and Alzheimer’s/memory support care facilities,” said KTGY CEO Tricia Esser. “And, in our continuing commitment and dedication to the growth and success of our clients, we are excited to be adding seasoned professionals that will increase our strength in the 55+ sector nationwide.”
KTGY also added Soo Im, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB as a senior project manager in the Los Angeles 55+ Studio. Im will serve as a project leader on age-qualified communities. With more than 18 years of industry experience, she most recently served as a senior project architect/designer for DiMella Shaffer specializing in senior living housing and healthcare including continuing care resident communities (CCRC), assisted living, dementia care and long-term/short-term skilled nursing facilities. She has also served as an adjunct teacher and advisor at Boston Architectural College for 10 years.
“I am very happy to be able to have two industry leaders like Ahlstrom and Im on our 55+ Studio team,” said KTGY’s Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP and principal, based in the firm’s Los Angeles office. “Their addition to the Playa Vista office allows KTGY the ability to have a dedicated 55+ Studio there with the ability to provide industry leading design services across the entire spectrum of age-qualified housing types.”
Some of the current service-enriched communities that KTGY is currently working on includes The Glen at Scripps Ranch Continuing Care Residential Community (CCRC) in San Diego, Calif.; Laguna Glen CCRC in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., which won 2015 NAHB Best 50+ CCRC Community On the Boards; The Georgian at Lakeside Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Roswell, Georgia; and Casey Road CCRC in Moorpark, Calif.
According to Ahlstrom, the aging Baby Boomer generation is expected to keep fueling demand for senior housing. By 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the U.S. population age 75 and older will reach nearly 23 million, an 18% increase from today—and that is even before the Baby Boomers arrive.
About KTGY Group
Celebrating over 23 years, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is a national award-winning firm providing comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, market and consumer trends, and financial performance. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices in Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune, and Tysons. See www.KTGY.com
