Photo cutline: Naples’ newest assisted living, GardenView at Moorings Park Grande Lake, introduces a technology-forward approach that enhances independence, safety, and connection.
A new era in senior living has arrived in Naples, Florida, with the opening of GardenView at Moorings Park Grande Lake, a national model for technology-forward assisted living with memory support. GardenView merges luxury and compassion in an environment where every detail fosters independence, engagement, and well-being amid the stunning beauty of Southwest Florida.
“I truly believe that this beautiful, boutique building will change the way America thinks about assisted living,” said Tom Mann, Vice President of Moorings Park Communities. “GardenView showcases what happens when you bring together thoughtful design, extreme hospitality, and smart technology, all to support longevity, purpose, and joy.”
A Vision Rooted in Connection
Tucked within the lakefront campus of Moorings Park Grande Lake, GardenView stands as a graceful blend of hospitality, technology, and award-winning care. Here, luxury is not just a visual experience, it’s a feeling; it’s the warmth of a caregiver who knows your story; it’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing licensed nurses are available 24/7, providing compassionate care beyond traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and every moment in between.
“GardenView is the latest expression of Moorings Park Communities’ philosophy of innovation, quality, and compassion,” said Dan Lavender, CEO of Moorings Park Communities. “We see each and every person having a story and purpose, and we think everybody can still live their best life, no matter their condition, aspirations, or any limits that they have. GardenView was designed to keep that philosophy at the center of every decision and interaction that happens here.”
(From left to right) Katy Kurilli, Jennifer Clark, Celeste Lynch, Dan Lavender, Clark Hill, Blake Gable, Dan Kowal, and Tom Mann cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of GardenView.
Friendship as the Foundation of Care
At the core of GardenView’s philosophy is the Best Friends™ approach, an internationally recognized model that redefines care through the power of friendship. Moorings Park Communities was the first organization in Florida to bring this approach to its memory support programs, ensuring that every resident is met not only with professional skill but with genuine empathy and understanding.
“Think of a true friend that you have; your best friend,” said Lavender. “They know your story. We make sure that everyone who serves residents in GardenView understands this philosophy. We now have ten master trainers in that Best Friends approach, and these unique tools are designed to engage you, to give you purpose, and to make sure that you have camaraderie and a great friend.”
This approach transforms the everyday rhythm of assisted living. The result is a community defined by empathy and belonging; a place where residents continue to explore who they are. More than that, GardenView is the first of Moorings Park’s communities to invite the independent spouses of assisted living or memory support residents to reside together on a dedicated floor together, should they want to.
“At GardenView, hospitality means personalized care, luxury, and knowing individual preferences. Our Best Friends philosophy brings all of that together, creating a community where independent living residents and assisted living residents feel united,” said Celeste Lynch, Executive Director of Moorings Park Grande Lake.
This thoughtful design allows couples to remain side by side, preserving shared routines and emotional closeness while each can receive the level of support they need. It’s a compassionate model that softens what can often be one of life’s most trying transitions, bringing reassurance, continuity, and peace of mind to both residents and their families.
GardenView brings independent and assisted living couples together, allowing them to remain connected while receiving personalized care.
Where Life Blooms Every Day
Life at GardenView unfolds with purpose. Mornings might begin with a coffee overlooking a vast, blooming garden or breakfast in a sunlit dining room where the scent of coffee mingles with conversation. The day might continue with a walk through the Botanical Garden, where six themed landscapes spark connection and conversation, or a mindful moment in the Reflection Garden, thoughtfully designed for peace and comfort at every stage of life.
“The concept of the gardens for this community is a beautiful thing, but I think the most beautiful thing is the vision that Moorings Park Communities had for creating this community,” said Collier County Commissioner Dan Kowal.
For residents who can care for their pets, GardenView’s dedicated dog park, Fluffington Park, offers a joyful space for pets to play and socialize.
“We will be permitting pets in GardenView which we think is very important for our residents,” said Katy Kurilli, Chief Operating Officer at Moorings Park Communities. “Having a pet during a major life transition makes such a huge difference.”
In the evening, friends may gather for dinner in one of GardenView’s elegant dining rooms, where chef-prepared meals are thoughtfully crafted to support brain and body wellness, meeting the unique nutritional and sensory needs of assisted living and memory support residents.
Every detail at GardenView, from its intimate scale to its expansive gardens, has been crafted to create a natural rhythm of life that embodies Moorings Park Communities’ philosophy of successful aging: living with purpose, curiosity, and joy.
“For the people who worked so hard in their lives to live in such a paradise… they don’t have to uproot themselves,” continued Kowal. “They can stay within this beautiful community created for them and continue living their life.”
At GardenView, the gardens reflect Moorings Park Communities’ belief that nature, purpose, and connection are essential to successful aging.
Redefining Assisted Living Through Technology
At GardenView, innovation is built into the very framework of care. Integrated smart systems and AI-driven insights work hand in hand with caregivers to create a safer, more personalized assisted living experience that fosters independence.
Each residence is equipped with smart-home systems that integrate seamlessly into daily life: elegant and discreet overhead lighting that detects falls, adjusts automatically for safety, and gently tracks motion and sleep patterns to identify subtle changes in well-being; a wearable device that features fall detection, summons help with a touch, and enables hands-free proximity access; and smart speakers that provide two-way communication with staff and support autonomy and engagement.
“Our intelligent care coordination that we are bringing to GardenView is the most unique feature in the country,” explained Tony Marques, Vice President of Technology Operations at Moorings Park Communities. “In traditional assisted living and memory support communities, the technologies we have are what we call ‘siloed.’ At GardenView, we’re taking all of that data and bringing it into an AI platform so that we can look holistically at our residents’ interactions. We’re able to predict care and outcomes before they become critical.”
This proactive model allows caregivers to intervene early; before a fall, a change in routine, or a health issue becomes serious.
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GardenView’s AI platform unites smart lighting, wearable devices, and sensing technology to predict care needs and deliver personalized, proactive support.
“As far as we know, this is the first time this combination of technology has ever been used in senior living,” said Lavender. “Our relationships are the heartbeat of GardenView and the Best Friends approach, but technology is the quiet system behind that, connecting, protecting, and informing our team. We think that this technology is going to contribute to our residents living a meaningful life and confidence for their loved ones.”
The brilliance of the system lies in its subtlety. Residents never feel monitored, but they are always supported.
“Making sure that residents are safe is always our top priority,” Marques said. “Being able to communicate back and forth with our residents effectively was also very important, if they’re in need of help or if they just need a towel.”
“Everything that is behind the scenes allows a person to live and to be independent as much as they can be,” shared resident Kayda Johnson. “AI permits and fosters all of that.”
As strategic advisor for GardenView Sarah Thomas explained: “Sensing and wearable technology allows us to predict care in a way that’s never been done before. We have a non-intrusive, non-invasive way to capture a resident’s movement, turn their lights on, and understand their habits, which is then used to prevent potential falls or injuries.”
A Model for the Future
“When you look at the team that was assembled for this whole campus — London Bay Development, Suffolk Construction, Wegman Design Group, Naples Botanical Garden — there was no doubt what the end result was going to be,” said Blake Gable, CEO of Barron Collier Companies and Chamber of Commerce Chair. “When you take the best and put them together, you create something that is just absolutely remarkable. I have a true appreciation for the impact that Moorings Park Communities has.”
GardenView is more than a community; it’s a redefinition of what assisted living with memory support can be. Here, technology and compassion work in tandem, creating a model where safety and independence coexist beautifully, needs are anticipated before they arise, caregivers form friendships that transcend routine, and gardens invite residents to live with calmness and curiosity.
For Moorings Park Communities, GardenView represents the evolution of its Simply the Best® promise; a seamless blend of innovation and humanity that honors the individuality of every resident. It’s a place where couples can remain side by side, where families find peace of mind, and where the smallest moments are treated as essential to well-being.
Across the country, communities are watching what’s unfolding in Naples. GardenView has become a blueprint for how assisted living and memory support can evolve: through thoughtful design, hospitality-driven care, and intelligent technology that amplifies the human touch. GardenView is proof that aging, when met with innovation and heart, should not only be supported, but celebrated.
Visit the GardenView website to learn more or schedule your personal tour today.
