Kensington Gardens Resort Living Community
By Jillian Chandler
Gig Harbor has been home to the beautiful Kensington Gardens since 2005—designed and built by native Washingtonians and local residents Mark and Kelly Watson. They have been providing personalized care for a decade and are now adding more living options on their 27-acre estate.
The Watsons have succeeded in creating an innovative living concept with a luxury resort-vibe. “We believe that life should continue to get better, and as needs change over time, our residents have the confidence of knowing they have access to our award-winning, full personalized care,” says Kelly.
KG was originally started as an event venue, but the couple found themselves caring for Mark’s grandmother, and then Kelly’s father, who suffered a stroke. They began touring facilities for their aging family members—yet they could not find the quality of life they were seeking.
So, in 2012, the Watsons established Regent Park at Kensington Gardens to provide living the way they believe it should be—with grace, laughter and love. Personalized Care means they tailor a plan toward specific needs and goals as you age. “Our residents have fun and feel loved in a home environment—so they thrive!” affirms Kelly.
There is exciting news on the horizon, as Kensington Gardens is adding Villas and Cottages with their signature resort living lifestyle, to be completed 2022-2023.
With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day, there is an extreme shortage of living options that are of fine quality and where residents can age in place. Using state residential care licensing and codes, Kelly and Mark developed their own concept—“Personalized Care Resort Community (PCRC)”—a resort lifestyle that provides care and evolves with residents. They have designed an active environment in natural surroundings, which includes a plan for care.
Kelly and Mark are creating a boutique community with walking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, meals, activities, transportation and care—just minutes from the Uptown Shopping Center, Met Market, the picturesque downtown Gig Harbor and lively Tacoma. The buildings and grounds are meticulously maintained, gourmet meals are designed, concierge services are offered, and they’re passionate in making every day the best that it can be for their residents!
“Our suites will have 10- and 12-foot ceiling heights, great room common areas, large private balconies, heated bathroom floors, and are beautifully appointed with quartz countertops, fireplaces and walk-in closets,” shares Kelly.
Kensington Gardens uses a membership and monthly maintenance fee model. “This membership concept is a plan that allows you to budget and provides a legacy for your estate,” Kelly states. “Our membership plan provides incentive to move in earlier to lock-in the maintenance fee structure, allows partners to age together and promotes aging in place.”
While assisting a client looking for an independent living community, Lydia Geline, Realtor for Windermere Real Estate, toured Kensington Gardens and had the opportunity to meet Kelly and her father, who was also living there. “The property was stunning, and Kelly’s compassion for all the residents sold me on Kensington Gardens,” states Lydia.
Lydia’s Real Estate career began as a Corporate Relocation Agent on the Executive Team, moving families from all over the world to work for our state’s largest corporations. “As a Realtor for the past 24 years, I have been along the journey with my clients through many shifts and changes in their lives. I now have the pleasure of assisting them with yet another life chapter as a Windermere Sales Consultant with Kensington Gardens. My clients of several years are now looking for their next step to include lower maintenance, healthy environment and options that include fun, lovely meals and the ability to stay!”
Lydia is passionate about sharing all that Kensington Gardens has to offer and making the process of securing a forever home as seamless as possible. To make the process simple, clients will work with Lydia and may continue to have their Realtor represent them in selecting their new home at Kensington Gardens.
If you or someone you love is interested in securing a home at Kensington Gardens, please reach out to Lydia at 206.419.0775.
Lydia Geline Windermere Real Estate LGeline@windermere.com 206.419.0775