Seattle’s first LEED-certified Life Plan Community breaks ground with intention in 2026, opens with purpose in 2029
When Seattle retirement community Horizon House announced plans for its 33-story West Tower expansion, current residents had one overriding concern: Would it change the culture they’d fallen in love with? After six decades of resident-led programming that fosters creativity, self-expression, and intellectual curiosity, the question wasn’t just about adding 202 apartments—it was about preserving something irreplaceable while building for the future.
CFO Christi Seymour understood exactly what was at stake, and location played a critical role. “Preserving the culture was our number one goal,” she explains. “We couldn’t replicate what we have by building somewhere else. It’s because of the years of being here that we have the culture we have.”
More of What Makes Horizon House Extraordinary
The decision to expand emerged from strategic planning sessions that began in 2020, where leadership envisioned how to grow the Life Plan Community’s unique culture rather than simply maintain it.
If 2008’s North Tower expansion is any indication, that’s what’s likely to happen. The North Tower brought exactly what leadership hoped—more highly engaged residents who added their own energy and expertise to the urban retirement community’s vibrant culture.
As discussions progressed, it became clear that keeping the buildings connected was essential to ensure all residents could enjoy every aspect of community life. The new West Tower will take the place of the current West Wing, right next door, with a complete transformation inside and out. Just like the building it replaces, the West Tower will remain physically connected to the existing campus.
West Tower residents will have full access to amenities in the North and Central Towers next door—the pool, fitness center, library, and its arts-focused programs. In return, residents from across campus will discover the West Tower’s new state-of-the-art performance space and light-filled gathering areas.
And there’s also the new 33rd-floor restaurant and lounge, whose breathtaking views and delicious cuisine are sure to draw crowds from day one.
Amplifying What Works Best
What makes Horizon House different isn’t its First Hill location or impressive amenities—it’s the resident-led culture where independent thinkers shape their community. With over 60 resident committees running everything from creative programs and lifelong learning to environmental initiatives and community engagement, the culture creates spontaneous connections that define daily life.
“You’re hanging art outside in the hallway, and all of a sudden, everybody’s there,” explains John Pound, who heads Horizon House’s Art Committee. “An art object is just an object. The real art is the interaction that happens around it.”
Those moments—neighbors emerging from apartments to discuss a new work of art, conversations sparking over shared interests—represent the magic the West Tower will expand upon further. With new shared amenities throughout, there will be even more opportunities for these organic connections.
Building for Baby Boomers Who Redefine Aging
The West Tower’s target residents—primarily baby boomers—bring different expectations than previous generations. These are the children of the 1960s who value self-expression, creativity, and social engagement. They’re attracted to Horizon House’s renowned art collection and the freedom to continue shaping culture rather than simply consuming it.
This generation expects sustainable senior living that reflects their values. The West Tower will be LEED certified, making it Seattle’s first environmentally sustainable Life Plan Community. The building embodies the environmental consciousness that defines many boomer priorities, from energy efficiency to water conservation.
The expansion also creates opportunities for significant enhancements across the existing campus. Current residents will see improvements to dining venues, expanded common areas, and upgraded amenities, ensuring everyone benefits from the community’s thoughtful growth.
What Brings People Together
One of Horizon House’s most appealing characteristics is how naturally people connect across different backgrounds. With a wide range of entrance fee options, people choose the urban senior community because it fits their values and interests, not just their budgets.
“We welcome everyone from authors and ministers to politicians, professors, CEOs, and more. They all share various interests, attend events together, and become friends,” Seymour explains. “It’s just so ingrained in who we are.”
Whether discussing art in the hallways, collaborating on committees, or sharing meals, relationships form around shared interests rather than professional backgrounds.
A Legacy Worth Continuing
People choose Horizon House because of its urban location, not in spite of it. They want to remain connected to Seattle’s cultural life, maintain their independence with the nearby, walkable amenities, and continue contributing to the vibrant community they’ve helped shape.
The West Tower expansion ensures this unique culture can flourish, proving that when you build with intention—preserving what matters while creating space for growth—remarkable communities thrive.
“Many residents tell us they knew Horizon House was right for them after just one or two visits. There’s an energy, a buzz, a sense of belonging here that some folks feel right away. It’s a culture built on people feeling empowered to do what they love, with people they love to be around,” Seymour reflects. The West Tower will create more space for the right people to find their place in this continuing story.Ready to become part of this continuing story? Visit WestTower.org or call 206-382-3100 to discover how the West Tower can be your next chapter in Seattle retirement community living.
