A Perfect Blend
- Jodi Brunner
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
By Mary Carpenter • Photos Supplied
In 1981 a doctor in Oregon coined the term “assisted living” to describe care for older adults who preferred to live independently, but needed help with activities of daily living. In the ensuing decades, an entire industry has grown up around the concept. As the population has aged, assisted living facilities have become a popular choice and can be found in communities across the country. Here in the North Country, service providers range from those who offer board and care in their homes for a handful of residents to facilities that can accommodate hundreds.
The Samuel F. Vilas Home in Plattsburgh can accurately be described as the region’s oldest and now its newest care facility. Opened in 1890 to accommodate “aged and infirm ladies” it offered 42 rooms. Today it is undergoing a sweeping construction/remodeling effort. To understand the scope and complexity of the project, SB met recently with owners Eli and Emily Schwartzberg.
The Schwartzbergs both attended Northwood School in Lake Placid, but not at the same time. Eli graduated from Cornell University’s Hotel Management program, moved to South Florida and worked in real estate development. He studied at Oxford for a time and then returned to the U.S. Emily graduated from Bates College with a degree in English and earned her Master’s degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. The couple connected through mutual friends and married in 2012.
Looking for a project that would inspire and challenge them, the Schwartzbergs purchased the former Willsboro Grade School. Relying on Eli’s experience in real estate development they transformed it into the Champlain Valley Senior Community which offers assisted living and memory care services. “My father was a doctor and he emphasized the importance of making a living while helping people,” Eli recounted. “The philosophy that a business can also offer a social benefit is part of my personality.” The Essex County facility opened in 2013 and was an immediate success, known for its accommodations, home cooked meals and caring staff.
As the end of the decade approached, Eli and Emily were ready for a new project. The historic Vilas Home in Plattsburgh was more than 130 years old and was showing its age. The Schwartzbergs contacted the Board of Directors of the not-for-profit to express an interest in revitalizing the Vilas Home. A few years later the Board reached out and let them know that they would be interested in working with them to bring the Vilas Home into the 21st century.
“Our interest in historical preservation and the Vilas’ location next door to CVPH Medical Center made it very attractive to us,” Eli observed. A deal was finalized and ownership was transferred in 2019. Then the serious planning began. “We understood the historic building needed to be modernized, its license expanded and its legacy preserved,” Eli emphasized.
The age of the historic home, its small rooms and limited access to the second and third floors meant a totally new approach was needed. The plan was to divide the construction into two phases. The first – 60,000 square feet of new construction on the north side of the 3.5-acre property was begun in October of 2021 just as the impact of the pandemic was realized. “The cost and availability of materials hit us hard and slowed things down,” Eli explained, “but we kept at it. It took us until April of 2024 before the 70 rooms and common areas were ready for the residents.”
As construction moved forward, the Schwartzbergs applied for and received an upgraded license that would allow the home to offer enhanced assisted living services which include rehabilitation therapy and skilled nursing that bridges the gap between regular assisted living and nursing homes.
Phase two was to focus on a historically sensitive renovation of the original building, remove walls to combine small rooms into larger ones and convert the second and third floors to secure memory care units to accommodate 28 people in each. An addition, built in 1994, was demolished to make room for new construction on the south and west sides of the property.
Financing for the ambitious project was provided by Champlain National Bank, Community Bank and Arrow Bank (formerly Glens Falls National Bank) as well as a substantial personal investment by the Schwartzbergs. Additional funding was secured from a USDA Loan Guarantee, a Development Block Grant and a Clinton County IDA PILOT Agreement.
Now, in late winter, final construction is moving along well and occupancy of the entire facility is projected for August. Rooms will be spacious and bright with large windows, kitchenettes and private baths with walk-in showers. Each room will have its own heat pump for heating and cooling. All will be fully furnished, but residents will be welcome to bring their own furniture and personal effects if they wish.
The new phase will include a grand lobby, four-season porches and a courtyard with a circular walking loop, a green area and a barbecue picnic area. Amenities will include a gym, therapy pool, activity room, library, computer room, and a chapel.
When work is complete, the Vilas Home will offer 109 rooms and 136 beds. “Our assisted living rooms will each accommodate individuals as well as couples, while rooms in our memory care units will have generous space for two,” Eli stated. “We have designed some double rooms in memory care knowing that having a companion is often comforting for residents with memory issues.”
Food at the Vilas Home is one of the most important parts of daily life. “We offer quality and variety three meals a day,” Emily explained. “Our wonderful from-scratch baker has been at the home for 25 years. She makes homemade bread and her pies, especially her lemon meringue, are very popular with residents. If someone has a favorite dessert, all they need to do is ask and she will make it for them. And, if her baking skills aren’t enough, she is also a talented pianist who loves to entertain.”
Eli and Emily are involved with all aspects of the daily operations at both the Vilas Home and Champlain Valley Senior Community. Eli focuses on day-to-day operations and construction, while Emily focuses on strategic planning and marketing. “We offer a perfect blend of independent living and personal care,” Emily offered. “I most enjoy seeing how our services benefit our residents and their families. Once people experience our level of care, enjoy our amenities and make friends, most never want to leave.”
While the facility and its amenities are critically important, Eli and Emily were eager to highlight the essential contribution of the current staff of 60. “Many have been at Vilas for decades and we consider them family,” Eli offered. “We are proud that so many have chosen to stay with us through this difficult construction period and will be with us when we unveil the new Vilas Home this summer.” Staff levels are expected to rise to 90 when all aspects of construction are complete.
The countdown is on for the ribbon cutting at the historic new Vilas Home in Plattsburgh, but what comes next? The Schwartzbergs acknowledge they are motivated by a challenge. It’s a family affair that benefits the North Country and we look forward to their next venture.
Samuel F. Vilas Home
61 Beekman Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
518 563-4960
Following is a list of the service providers for the Vilas Home construction project. Most are specialists in the assisted living building industry and were involved in the couple’s Champlain Valley Senior Community in Willsboro.
General Contractor: Stonebrook Construction, Eli Schwartzberg, Lake Placid, NY
Construction Management: Deerwood Construction Management, Joe Vigna, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sub-Contractors:
Architect: Harris Sanders Architects, Albany, NY
Mechanical & Plumbing: Rene’s Repair, Plattsburgh, NY
Electrical: Blue Ridge Contractors, North Hudson, NY
Sprinkler Systems: Mountain Valley Sprinkler Systems, Williston, VT
Interior Design: RDG Planning & Design, St. Louis, MO
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