Local Investor Acquires Homesteads, Relaunches As Maplewood At Newtown

By John Voket

A partnership led by Greg Smith, CEO of Hunter Gregory Realty Corp and owner/operator of Maplewood at Danbury, recently acquired The Homesteads at Newtown along with partners Scott Sambade and Robert Beck. In just a few weeks since the acquisition, Mr Smith has already repositioned the assisted living and memory care community with the Maplewood brand.

Maplewood at Newtown is at 166 Mt Pleasant Road.

During a tour of the facility with The Newtown Bee, Mr Smith said he not only lived in town for several years himself, but has called the community one of his favorite places since childhood. His son, Hunter, is currently a student at St Rose School.

“My family has deep roots here — dating back to my grandmother, who was a local constable,” said Mr Smith. “We see this as a great opportunity to not only redevelop this asset, but also give something back to the community, where families are an extension of our Maplewood family.”

He explained that the Maplewood brand was launched four years ago with the redevelopment of the former 45,000-square-foot Heritage Heights nursing home located directly across the street from Danbury Hospital. The property was completely redesigned and reopened as the highly successful, 64-unit Maplewood at Danbury.

Plans for the renamed Maplewood at Newtown, situated in the countryside near the Bethel town line on ten acres, call for exterior upgrades and landscape improvements, as well as interior retrofits that will include everything from granite countertops to a comprehensive renovation of all common areas.

“This is a beautifully positioned property, and we plan to retain its New England ambience,” said Mr Smith. “It is a well-designed community, and we intend to make it even better with changes that are very appropriate for the neighborhood and our residents. We have come up with an outstanding design that will enhance our services and quality of care.”

Mr Smith began his diverse career following his graduation from Bentley College in Massachusetts. He relocated to New York and immediately began working as an investment banker.

A Brotherly Invite

Some time later, Mr Smith made his first foray into the realm of commercial real estate with an invitation from his twin brother Chris.

“I became a real estate investor and we worked together buying properties,” he said, adding that among the properties he acquired and managed were hotels. That is where he learned about the kind of hospitality and service that he then instilled as a hallmark at the Maplewood locations.

After acquiring the Danbury property in 2004, he helped his younger sister, Hollee Chontos, by hiring her to be the facility’s head chef. Mr Smith said he also has several relatives who are now, or were formerly, residents at the Danbury facility.

“At the end of the day we looked at this opportunity as consumers, and what we want for our own family,” he said. “So as the owners, we put forward a set of core values that center on the family. We empower our staff to emulate those values, which has helped make us successful.”

Mr Smith said he both welcomes and encourages the family members of residents to visit or call often, and to never hesitate to participate in activities at the site. In fact, he and his staff frequently solicit and implement ideas that come from his residents, their families, and their visitors.

He also prides the facility and its entire staff on their willingness to look out for every resident, 24-hours-a-day. And as the only current board member of the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut to own and operate such a facility, he has particular sensitivity to those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“That’s why we stress so much about providing proactive versus reactive care,” he said. “And it works so well because everyone from our nurses to the dining and housekeeping staff participate. It’s a situation where each resident has 100 pairs of eyes looking out for them every day.”

He said his staff supports the concept completely.

“You need complete staff buy-in to create the best community for our residents to thrive,” said Mr Smith. And he said the fact that Maplewood’s owners and executives live in relative proximity to the facility mean they are receptive and can respond to issues immediately.

“We care,” he said. “We’re in the community all the time, not 3,000 miles away. And that pride in ownership shows – so we take every opportunity to make a difference in the community.”

A Range Of Services

The Maplewood brand of assisted living and memory care communities prides itself on providing upscale, quality-oriented residences offering a range of services for residents.

“Professional staff provides an atmosphere of warmth and loving care, all in a safe and homelike environment,” Mr Smith said.

Executive Director Lisa Kinsella said the complex offers studio, one- and two-bedroom units, a library, a pub where residents enjoy happy hour, and a private dining room, which can be reserved and catered for special occasions

“Families and prospective residents come to us seeking a secure, carefree lifestyle,” Ms Kinsella said. “We are able to provide socialization and opportunities for new friendships. Many prospective clients are comforted by the fact that we have 24-hour nursing assistants and RNs and LPNs seven days a week and on call.”

Maplewood at Newtown residents also have access to fine dining, housekeeping, and laundry services.

“Therefore, residents can use their time for fun opportunities instead of worrying about cooking and cleaning,” Ms Kinsella added.

The facility will also host regular programs not only for its residents, but for the community as well. A Senior Helpers forum, “Caught Between Growing Children and Aging Parents” is scheduled for Thursday, June 10.

Carolyn and Gus Thanasoulis, co-owners of Senior Helpers, have announced “exciting changes” in their organization, noting, “Not only are CNAs, companions, and helpers available, but we will now also be able to help with care coordination, wellness watches, relocation services, and home care.”

Participants in the forum are: Dr Alan Davis of Western Connecticut Primary Care; Richard J. Gubbiotti, RPh, Drug Center Pharmacy; Dana Klesh, United Alarm Services, Inc; Attorney Ann Fowler Cruz of Cohen & Wolf; and Cathryn Dahlmeyer, Newtown Ambulance Corps.

For more information about this forum or to register, call 203-304-1634 or 203-740-2733.

Light refreshments will be served.