VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — On Friday, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay celebrated the groundbreaking of Bay Tower, a 22-story residential building that has sparked some debate among residents in the Shore Drive area.
The 226-unit tower is an expansion of the beachfront retirement community that aims to address the growing demand for senior housing options in Virginia Beach.
"It is our generation's turn to step up and expand to ensure our older neighbors and friends have excellent lifestyle choices for their freedom years, as well as top-notch services and healthcare they might need," said J. Benjamin Unkle Jr., the president and CEO of Westminster-Canterbury, in a press release.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, whose mother is part of the Westminster community, attended the groundbreaking ceremony and talked about the advantages of the expansion for the city.
"Seniors want that independent living experience, but they also want a sense of community. At Westminster, you get both," he said.
Groundbreaking of 22-story Westminster-Canterbury tower
By the year 2030, Virginia Beach's senior population is expected to grow by 48.47%, according to a study by LeadingAge Virginia.
"Virginia Beach is rated as one of the best places to live in the country," Miyares said. "And what we've seen is a lot of seniors that want to stay ... but feel like they can't because they want to have a place of community but there's no place for them. Now, we have 200-plus beds that are going to open up in this amazing place we call home in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads."
Along with providing more housing, the expansion is projected to provide more than 150 new jobs and an additional $2.3 million in property tax revenues annually for the city.
As part of the project, Westminster-Canterbury had to submit plans to the City of Virginia Beach Wetlands Board to build a pavilion that extends down to the beach. That was approved during a public hearing on Thursday.
Despite opposition from many living along Shore Drive, the Virginia Beach City Council approved the $450 million project in November.
At the time, nearby residents told 13News Now that they had concerns the building would be too tall, increase traffic and reduce the values of their homes.
