LUXURY ON THE LAKE: ALEXANDER OFFERS RETIREMENT RESISDENCE AND CARE CLOSER TO HOME
Photos and story Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — Two springs ago Leonard Ojha stood atop a pile of beach sand overlooking Lake Muskoka and said: “All this can be yours.”
In May he and his wife Marie made good on that promise, posing on the balcony of The Alexander with that same spectacular view at their backs — as they cut the ribbon on their stunning retirement residence community overlooking the Muskoka Wharf’s sailing steamships.
Luxury on the lake was open — with comfort, community and care close to your home and heart.
The Alexander is a lot like Cheers where everybody — especially the staff — knows your name and they even greet you with a big, warm hug.
It has the feel of a historic old-fashioned Muskoka resort, but with all the new comforts and amenities of modern, independent retirement lifestyles ending COVID trepidations.
A new concept that combines the best small towns with cottage living.
Its three wings are named after the neighbouring streets of Sarah, George and Isaac — their address is 520 Isaac — which embrace it.
“Oh, we love it here,” said resident Alice Schenk, with a huge smile, as she was on her way down to the Lakeside Diner for brunch last Friday with husband Garnet.
Both are 90 years old and lived in town for decades after he retired as principal of the Ontario Fire College, which is just a spray of the fire hose around the watery bend of the bay on Lake Muskoka.
They lived at another retirement home uptown, but moved here preferring because it’s “so nice and friendly.”
Garnet agrees wholeheartedly, while waving to new friends across the bright, wide-open, windowed grand dining room, where full lunches and dinners are served twice daily.
“And the food is so good,” Alice said, as the couple sat down in a window seat and were served glasses of water by waiters while perusing the luncheon menu (with the option to pre-order dinner mains).
Nearby a man enters off the main corridor elevator pushing his walker and another woman comes in from a side hallway where she is greeted with a big hug from Emma, one of her servers, as they exchange big smiles and pleasantries. Emma asks how her husband is doing and if he’s coming down for lunch.
“Fine and yes!”
The flood of food lovers is just beginning.
Within minutes more than 20 of the 30 singles and couples now in residence are sitting down to Friday’s specials of the day — hot turkey sandwich and soup du jour French Canadian pea. Or the traditional breakfast and lunch fare — even a peanut butter and banana sandwich is available every day.
The Lakeside Diner is where many “hang out” afterwards to enjoy the camaraderie of the small town community with its picturesque vistas of the lakeside and open, airy, breezy feel.
That’s all in addition to The Bistro (in back of the sleek new chrome kitchen) where staff keep stocked up all-day and night snacks like yoghurt, fruit, coffee/tea, drinks and cold sandwiches and such that are available for the taking 24/7.
It’s already a popular stop for early-risers who can’t wait to get going shuffling around their new neighbourhood in anticipation of planned activities listed in daily briefing sheets scattered around the common areas.
The Bistro — with its colourful Dave Dawson iconic Muskoka landmark historic prints line the walls alongside the giant TV — sits beside The Atrium where an enormous, four-foot high circular table dominates the towering three-storey open space, which is the arts and crafts epi-centre and is ringed by wing-back chairs to relax and soak up the sun and accompanying community art displays.
For more indoor recreation there are various nooks and crannies to snuggle up in with a book or puzzle or for a moment of quiet relaxation.
Or there’s the cozy third floor games and activities room with a small mirrored wooden bar to cozy up to and where every Friday it’s a social and happy time hour.
On the main floor just outside the Lakeside Diner are more tables to enjoy entertainment, gathered round the beautiful Kurtzmann baby grand piano where local groups will come in to perform centre stage.
But among the many and so varied offerings of The Alexander (including laundry facilities or in-room pickup and delivery and weekly housekeeping) are its inviting outdoor highlights.
With emphasis on the “high” lights.
They are the top floor balcony and patio deck looking out on the Muskoka Steamships — the century-old coal-fired Segwun steamship and the diesel-powered Wenanoh II, which ferry hundreds of passengers a week up the Muskoka Lakes.
Alexander residents have a front row seat for the daily boat rides now heading into the busy Calvalcade of Colour cruise season.
And wait till the surrounding maples on the doorstep burst in to brilliant reds and warm orange. It’ll be breath-taking. And fireworks. Can’t wait.
This and more across the Gravenhurst Bay from where with the Marriott Residence Inn Hotel condos compliment the existing adjacent Greavette and Ditchburn condo tower on the opposite side. With retail restaurant and water shore stores and the Muskoka Discovery Centre museum nestled between.
It’s the ultimate in living on the lake without having to rake the leaves.
All this can be yours within the more than 100 rental rooms at The Alexander — two-thirds of which are still available after just opening in May.
Prices vary reasonably and comparably within Muskoka depending on lake or front of house views, levels, bachelors, singles, doubles and services necessary, such as assisted living, memory care and a few units that are even geared to income with District of Muskoka subsidized housing support.
Each apartment unit comes with walk-in showers, toilets (ensuites in some), bar sink and kitchen cabinets, mini-fridge and ample cloak and clothing closets. Furniture not included.
And a concierge computer mounted on the wall to contact the front desk 24/7 and other services. User door cards or pass codes open the doors.
For more information and to inquire about joining this vibrant new Muskoka residence community and to contact them about a tour, call: 705-996-6405 . Or visit their website at https://www.thealexander.ca/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwufq2BhAmEiwAnZqw8iX74yXz0y3xDorMnyQBEAtLdx7nul4qjxjTap3CxxoPjho_Pea93hoC1ZMQAvD_BwE
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