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A Vision of Community
The history of Providence Point began in the late 1950’s when the Sisters of Providence purchased approximately 226 acres on the Sammamish Plateau to build a training facility. They opened the Providence Heights College of Sister Formation in 1961. Due to changes in society and religious trends the Sisters of Providence closed the college in 1969 and transformed it into a conference center used by business, education and religious groups.
In the long run, however, the Sisters of Providence were not interested in operating a conference center and they entertained offers for the property. When the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI) expressed interest, the Sisters saw an opportunity to pass the property to an organization with a similar mission and sold the site in 1978. There was one stipulation to the sale, however. Since caring for the elderly was part of the mission of the Sisters of Providence, they asked that the Lutheran Bible Institute (now known as Trinity Lutheran College) dedicate a portion of the property to senior housing. The Institute did not need the space the entire property offered and obtained permission to rezone 180 acres of the property and solicited proposals from developers to build retirement housing.
After a nationwide search for development proposals, well known local home builder and developer Swanson-Dean was selected to build what was to become Providence Point. Swanson-Dean chose to incorporate the word “Providence” into the development’s name in honor of the mission of the Sisters of Providence. The word “Point” was used to recognize the development’s vantage point overlooking nearby Lake Sammamish and the Issaquah valley.
Today, nearly 25 years from its initial concept, over 1,250 residents call Providence Point home. In nearly every aspect the Providence Point community has met, and in many instances exceeded, the vision of its founders. The development has earned nationwide awards for retirement housing planning and a reputation as a premier community where independent adults 55 and older can enjoy an active lifestyle.
A "One of a Kind" Development
I think both the people who work here and live here are extremely proud of the community," says LaMar Hansen, former President of Swanson-Dean and the man most responsible for the planning, development and construction of Providence Point. "But it hasn't been an easy project to build. With a project of this size and complexity, there were many challenges with preserving the environment, gaining building permits, financing construction, and essentially creating a small city. Of course, it's never easy when you're attempting to create something that is truly, "One of a Kind."
"What makes Providence Point so different? Well, besides its sheer size, the residents own their condominium units under fee simple ownership. They can rent them, re-sell them or pass them on to their heirs," says Hansen. "You're not giving away the equity you've saved for all your life. Many times retirement housing requires an up front endowment of non-refundable monies or requires an owner to sell their home back to the developer when they move. At Providence Point seniors can truly benefit from home ownership and experience an active lifestyle without the burdens of maintaining a single family home."
Providence Point remains the most unique retirement community in the state and often receives inquires from developers across the country hoping to duplicate the principles behind the development's success.
Ask LaMar a question about Providence Point, whether about construction methods, floor plans, styles, or the history of this unique development and he can answer quickly and in great detail. His knowledge is boundless and he knows most of the residents by name; even remembering the day they moved here. A good natured man with a great sense of humor and a quick joke, you would think he would sit back and take it easy, but he remains impassioned by the success of Providence Point.
After 15 years of overseeing the birth, growth and maturity of the project, LaMar remains an integral part of the Community. He is currently the Owner and Broker of Providence Real Estate, an independent real estate brokerage serving the Puget Sound area, and most importantly both Buyers and Sellers in the Providence Point Community. The Company is the only on-site real estate firm to serve the Community.
Seven Distinct Villages
Grouped into seven villages, the 1008 condominium units that make up Providence Point feature over 50 different floor plans and range in size from 800 to 2300 square feet. Many units offer incredible views of Lake Sammamish, the Cascades and great territorial views. Each Village is unique based upon its location and offers distinct advantages. In some cases a Village offers its own unique architectural style.
The natural rolling landscape of the area was incorporated into the design of the individual buildings making up each Village. This leads to many unique unit designs, views and maximizes privacy between each homeowner. The majority of homes feature one level living in a building featuring six to eight units per building. The development also offers duplexes all on one level, two story town homes, and apartment style homes with a common lobby and hallway entrance.
Each Village elects representatives and maintains its own Homeowners Association who is responsible for budgeting and funding reserves to maintain buildings and the other common elements of each Village. The overall Community is professionally managed by the Providence Point Homeowners Association who is responsible for the welfare and maintenance of the community as a whole. Monthly homeowner assessments are based upon the size of the unit and include some utilities, insurances, community amenities, exterior building and grounds maintenance, and maintenance of common buildings.
A Myriad of Amenities
Town Hall is the focal point of the campus. In addition to housing the Providence Point Homeowners Association offices, the homeowner’s activities office where residents can sign up for the many on and off campus activities is located there as well. Town Hall is also the home of Bake's Place, a bistro style restaurant and jazz club.
A community clubhouse includes recreation and exercise rooms and an indoor pool and sauna. Outside the clubhouse is a putting green and tennis courts. Gardeners can reserve a spot in a community pea patch and hikers can walk groomed trails that wind through the complex. There is also a library which houses its own collection of books, periodicals, and video tapes as well as selections from the King County Library System.
The development is enclosed by a hidden fence and the entrances are either guarded or utilize a secure key card system to gain access. The Providence Point transportation bus makes regular stops throughout the community and makes regular runs to downtown Issaquah for shopping, medical care, and dining.
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