By Darrell Kirby | [email protected]

A third housing development catering to older adults is about to break ground in the northwestern part of West Valley City.

The Heather on Parkway at 6087 W. Parkway Blvd. (2700 South) will ultimately see the construction of 84 single-level homes for purchase by people ages 55 and older.

The homes in the gated community will be built in multiple fourplexes with seven different floor plans available ranging from one to three bedrooms and 1,500 to 2,700 square feet.

“Each of the homes will have their own (fenced-in) backyard, about 200 square feet,” said Trish Tann, a realtor representing project developer Arcadia Builders of Draper.

The Heather will also feature a clubhouse, gym, sauna, pickleball courts and walking trails. The community will be overseen and maintained by a homeowners association.

The homes will range in price from $465,000 to $670,000. “We’ve had quite a few reservations, lots of calls every day,” Tann said. “We’re excited to bring this to the community.”

The name “Heather” was derived from the Scottish roots of Arcadia Builders owner John Walker.

The Heather on Parkway is just down the road from another planned housing community for people 55 and older. The West Valley City Council last year approved the construction of a 43-home development at Parkway Boulevard and 7200 West, despite opposition from residents of nearby single-family homes who were against the planned density of the project in what has been an empty field.

Another development, the 81-home Bingham Point, was completed a few years ago at 7200 West and 3100 South.

Housing projects for the 55-plus demographic are sprouting up at a faster pace around the country as the tail end of the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and some seek an easier, quieter way of life.

“There’s a lot data that suggests that over 10,000 people turn 65 every day in this country,” said Ben Keal, director of sales and operations for Private Communities, a Vero Beach, Florida-based online resource for people looking for master planned gated, golf and retirement communities. That likely means no slowdown any time soon in building retirement communities, especially in Sunbelt states.

Keal said an attractive living environment is sometimes a bigger draw than price point for financially established current and soon-to-be retirees looking for new homes. “The allure is the fact that it’s like-minded people like age groups” who want to be among similar neighbors, Keal said, noting that such properties are usually well-kept and maintain their values.

“Low maintenance, the lifestyle, like-minded people, social attributes—that’s why the 55-plus (housing sector) is so attractive,” Keal added.