Fair Haven Retirement Community in Birmingham and Wesley Manor Retirement Community in Dothan have broken ground for physical and cultural transformations. The groundbreaking ceremonies theme was “Redefining Home: Reframing, Renewing and Renovating Together” to signify the culture change that will take place at both centers.

Groundbreaking ceremony at Fair Haven Retirement Community in Birmingham.

Groundbreaking ceremony at Fair Haven Retirement Community in Birmingham.

Following construction, the skilled nursing care centers will adopt the “Household Model,” a person-centered approach to health care that emphasizes independence, choice and interpersonal relationships. The communities, which are part of Methodist Homes of Alabama and Northwest Florida, will be the first to comprehensively implement the model in Alabama.

“We are excited to begin the transformation of both campuses,” Methodist Homes President & CEO Christopher Tomlin said. “The project will incorporate changes to both the physical buildings and the operating model which will ensure our residents experience true home, wherever they reside. We are proud of our history of providing quality care and services to our residents, and consider the Household Model to be the best way to serve the seniors of today and tomorrow.”

Rendering of the planned renovation and expansion of Fair Haven Retirement Community in Birmingham.

Rendering of the planned renovation and expansion of Fair Haven Retirement Community in Birmingham.

Fair Haven will undergo a $42.4 million expansion and renovation that will allow it to serve almost 400 individuals upon completion. The project includes the demolition of multiple existing buildings to make way for construction of two new skilled nursing care buildings, a dedicated short-term rehabilitation center, new assisted living residences and additional independent living apartments. Existing community areas of the campus will be redesigned to include medical and dental offices, a fitness center, bistro, ice cream parlor and other amenities. The campus will incorporate a traditional Birmingham Tudor style for new and existing building façades. The roughly two-year project is expected to be completed in August 2017.

Wesley Manor’s $8.4 million, one-year renovation will include the development of a dedicated short-term rehabilitation center, and modernizing the entire campus, including existing skilled nursing care and assisted living areas. The main entrance and other building exteriors will be canvassed into a mid-century modern style.

The Household Model was developed by Manhattan, Kansas, based Action Pact. Golden Construction of Birmingham will handle the renovation and expansion of both centers.