Hesperus Fellowship Village (Hesperus II)
The expansion of our beautiful facilities is expected to be complete by the end of Summer 2011. The new building is adjoining the west wall of the existing Hesperus Fellowship Community of Ontario building (Hesperus I) and is separated by a firewall and specially built fire-rated doors.
The land was staked out in the early summer of 2009 and site preparation commenced in late December. Serious construction started in February, 2010. Occupancy is currently planned for October 2011.
Designed by Bert Chase (H.S Chase Architects Inc., North Vancouver, Canada) the new building will house 61 units, a medical office, therapeutic spaces, a generous communal dining and program space, as well as social, meeting and handwork/craft areas (to be completed at a later date). It will complement the 19 inter-generational units and variety of social and program areas in Hesperus I, the offices and library of the Anthroposophical Society of Canada, the Toronto Waldorf School (TWS), the Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto, and other related initiatives on the campus.
A new entry, to be shared by both Hesperus I & II, is located on the North side. The northern elevation shows three levels above grade. To maximize the use of the site the ground floor is built into the land. Hesperus II building contains three pods. The Eastern two pods are single loaded with all units enjoying Southern exposure.
Only the West pod has units facing North as well as South. The corridors on the first two levels can be walked from the Eastern end of Hesperus I to the Western end of Hesperus II. The view from the South shows four levels of residential and operational space. Thirty apartments will rent on a rent-geared-to-income basis. Rents for another 30 apartments will be restricted to 80% of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) determined marker rents. The remaining units will be at competitive market rents.
A number of units will be occupied by residents with special needs and who will be supported by the appropriate community agencies. All units are suitably designed for elderly people and some units allow increased accessibility for seniors with disabilities.
Hesperus Village, fulfilling life naturally
It is anticipated that the combined eighty units will house approximately 120 seniors. There will be 33-1 bedroom and 27-2 bedroom, new affordable apartments in Hesperus II. Once construction ends Hesperus friends and residents, as well as TWS teachers and students will again enjoy quiet nature walks in newly landscaped surroundings enlivened by the addition of a pond.
With the larger population will come a greater pool of social and cultural interests leading to book & film clubs, singing groups, public speaking, hearing improvement, music appreciation, and nature study groups. Opportunities for continuous growth and learning, collaboration with the Toronto Waldorf School and Rudolf Steiner Centre student teachers, supporting TWS's school garden and farm program, working in theCarrville Community Garden will allow Hesperus' residents to experience a rich and fulfilling life in their senior years. They will bring their individual and unique gifts to help create a friendly and interesting village.