Gathering Place: Redefining What It Means to Live Well
Rendering courtesy of Slingshot Architecture, The Lodge will feature 16 condominiums.
What does it mean to live well today? At Western Home Communities, that question has guided more than a century of innovation in how people age, connect, and thrive. For generations, the organization has created a community where neighbors become friends, where people come first, and where purpose continues to grow with each new stage of life.
Now, that legacy is taking on a fresh chapter in Iowa City. Located off Melrose Avenue and Camp Cardinal Boulevard, Gathering Place builds on the success of Western Home’s flagship Cedar Falls campus, bringing fulfilling lifestyles rooted in wellness, belonging, and compassionate service to the Iowa City and Coralville area. Designed for adults 55 and over, the new campus blends the warmth of community with a modern vision for living well.
“The Iowa City and Coralville community is familiar with both fee-for-service and life care retirement models, but what we’re creating is something entirely new,” says Kris Hansen, CEO of Western Home Communities. “This is a campus focused on holistic wellness, with care options available when and if needed. It also operates without labels. It isn’t a ‘retirement’ or ‘senior living’ community; it’s a place to gather, to live well, and to define that in new ways for everyone. We want to offer lifestyle choices and amenities that help our members live their best lives on and off the Gathering Place campus.”
“This is a campus focused on holistic wellness, with care options available when and if needed. It also operates without labels. It isn’t a ‘retirement’ or ‘senior living’ community; it’s a place to gather, to live well, and to define that in new ways for everyone.”
At the heart of Gathering Place’s vision is the belief that true wellness nurtures mind, body, and spirit. That philosophy comes to life through thoughtfully designed spaces, nutritious restaurant dining, and programs that promote physical, emotional, and social connection. Walking paths wind around the pond and weave through the campus, encouraging residents to stay active, enjoy nature, and connect with neighbors. Gathering Place is also a pet-friendly campus where four-legged companions are always welcome. Group fitness, wellness classes, and community events further inspire residents to stay engaged, cultivating a culture of belonging that defines Gathering Place’s holistic approach to living well.
Construction on Phase One of the Gathering Place campus began in October 2025 with the groundbreaking of the signature freestanding Timberwood Homes, an offering that truly sets this community apart. Gathering Place elevates active living with residences thoughtfully designed by architect Sanjay Jani. Nestled among mature trees or overlooking the pond, these homes embody both independence and connection by offering residents the privacy of a true home and the vibrancy of a shared, engaging campus life.
Timberwood Homes and Villas, comprising 29 freestanding homes and eight villas designed for comfort, independence, and connection, will welcome their first residents in the spring of 2026. Three distinct buildings will serve as the cornerstones of campus life: The Lodge, The Ridge, and The Grove.
The Lodge and The Ridge combine thoughtfully planned residences with a host of lifestyle amenities, placing convenience and community at the heart of Gathering Place. The Lodge will feature 16 condominiums, a warm and inviting community room, guest suites, a golf simulator, offices, and restaurant dining with views of the pond. The Ridge, also home to 16 condominiums, will serve as the hub for Thrivera wellness services, offering a pool, fitness center, indoor walking track, therapy clinic, and salon.
The Grove will feature more than two dozen active living condominiums surrounded by natural landscaping, inviting residents to enjoy independent living within a connected, walkable neighborhood. Construction on The Lodge and The Ridge is anticipated to begin in 2026 as part of Phase One, with The Grove to follow in Phase Two.
“Iowa City has everything we value. It’s a university town with one of the top teaching hospitals in the Midwest and a community that’s doing great things along the corridor,” Hansen says. “We've had our eye on it for years, and when the opportunity finally came, we were able to secure the land to bring our vision to life.”
Innovation has always been at the heart of Western Home Communities, and the new Iowa City location will build on that legacy through its close connection to the University of Iowa. “Being this close to the University’s research community will help us continue, and even accelerate, our innovation,” Hansen says. “We’re excited about the chance to collaborate with different colleges within the University, especially on technology that helps people stay independent longer. Partnering with students and faculty on senior and geriatric issues is more important now than ever and it will continue to be for years to come.”
Discover More
Marc Long
(319) 222-2103
gatheringplaceic.com gatheringplace@westernhome.org
