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.

Leonard Ojha and his wife Marie made good on their promise of luxury on the lake with The Alexander retirement residence that’s like ‘Cheers,’ where everyone knows your name and your care is closer to homelike. Photos Mark Clairmont

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.

The Alexander is now part of the Muskoka Wharf community nestled proudly atop the rock cliff overlooking the Segwun and Wenonah II.

“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).

Alice Schenk loves her new home – her third in Gravenhurst since husband Garnet retired as principal of the former nearby Ontario Fire College just up Lake Muskoka.

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.

This is all yours – your front yard that Florida or no island or European getaway can beat. Just look at it and drink it all in.

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 Lakeside Diner is the hub of the bustling little community where brunch and dinner are served in the bright and breezy epi-centre of The Alexander. A simple elegance and tastefully-designed retreat.

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.

Whether looking up Lake Muskoka or at its feet the Muskoka Wharf, this third floor deck is the place to be most of the year. It’s like a cottage without having to rake the leaves.

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.

Rooms with a bedroom, a lakeview and kitchenette are among the different types of accommodations available at various monthly rates.

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

The Alexander, at 520 Isaac Street in Gravenhurst, is the latest entry to Muskoka’s retirement community.
Welcome to The Alexander, where 30 singles and couples have taken up living in the lap of comfort and care they can attain and afford.
Garnet and Alice Schenk, of Gravenhurst, love it here and say that at 90 this is their last move.
A hug, a smile and a kind word are the perfect way to start the day for any resident or staff member.
Late night or early morning, The Bistro is snack bar for one and all with coffee, sandwiches, fruit, yoghurt.
Emma is always happy to greet residents and with a quick step serve them whatever is on the menu.
Alvin is another popular wait staff member with a mischievous grin and a maybe even a joke of the day.
Behind the scenes hot brunches and dinners are happily prepared fast and nutritious seven days a week twice a day and overnight.
Here’s exactly what the chef ordered for dinners this week. And below what the choices are. Notice no prices. It’s kind of European – except it’s all inclusive in your stay.

Staff are available at all hours of the day and night in these ample-sized units with a spacious bedroom and sitting room.
Attainable, affordable and comfortable are the basic bachelor units with a nature view and an easy to use personal bar and mini fridge.
Handy large showers are included in each unit along with in some units en suite toilets with access from the bedroom.
Even on the ground floor lakeside the lawn leads to some water views. On the second and third floors Lake Muskoka.
Now here’s place to call home with tables and chairs to enjoy at your leisure or to bring your lunch out and savour the flavours of nature at its best.
Outside your window is a patio space ripe to relax, stretch your feet out on – and nod off.
But access to the upper deck is always an option to see the comings and goings of the ships and the fireworks.
Top deck is the games and recreation lounge where darts and game boards are easily hand.
A TV lounge with surround couch makes it a comfortable spot to watch sports, news or other specialty programming in the nautical-themed space.
A game of chess or cards is an inviting part of the day while still seeing the lake and enjoying some sunny fun and games.
And of course Friday’s happy hour is a highlight of the week for coffee and wine lovers sitting around this gorgeous wooden bar.
The Atrium is always a hive of activity when recreation programming is scheduled and can be checked out from hallway windows above.
There’s no time like the present to wander through The Atrium into The Bistro at any hour of the day.
Between the lobby and Lakeside Diner is this amazing locally-made centrepiece table that grabs your eye as soon as you enter in to your new home away from home.
Gather round the Kurtzmann baby grand and sing a few tunes along with community entertainers who perform on its stage.
A lovely outdoor garden space with small concrete sidewalk off their dining room suitable for walkers is ideal for those living in the memory care area of The Alexander retirement residence.
Ships at shore and at sea are an ongoing attraction, an allure for anyone who can’t get enough of Muskoka’s history of logging, boatbuilding and tourism.
Sitting high atop Lake Muskoka, The Alexander has become a new landmark in port for boaters heading in to Gravenhurst, where below residents can look out on the water from the groundfloor patio. Photos Tristan Joy Destura 

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