Benchmark Senior Living Expanding to New Jersey

Benchmark Senior Living, the largest senior living provider in New England, is, once again, expanding its Northeast footprint. Last month, the company began construction on a new assisted living and memory care community located at 1814 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Also under development is Benchmark at Mount Pleasant, in Thornwood, NY, Benchmark’s first Westchester County community. It will become the company’s third New York community when it opens this spring.

“We’re excited to bring the high-quality and compassionate care Benchmark has built its reputation on for almost 30 years to the residents of Scotch Plains and beyond,” said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark. “Scotch Plains and the Mount Pleasant projects will be among several new communities to join the Benchmark family in the near future, as we concentrate on growing our footprint in the Boston-to-DC corridor.”

As the first assisted living community in Scotch Plains, which is located approximately 13 miles south of Morristown, NJ and 20 miles southwest of New York City, it will bring much-needed senior care to Western Union County.

Scotch Plains is known for its numerous recreational opportunities including the adjacent Ashbrook Reservation. The township is rich in history with many Revolutionary War sites and the first African-American Country Club in the country, which was founded in 1921 and played host to many famous Black musicians.

The location is ideally suited for seniors desiring a wide range of nearby activities as well as multi-generational families with many schools close by. Residents will be able to take in the surrounding area from a walking path that surrounds the community while visiting many neighboring sites, such as the Academy for Performing Arts, golf courses, a community pool, scenic walking trails and churches.

The community will offer residents and their loved ones 81,692 square feet of indoor and outdoor space spread out over three floors, including 86 studio and one-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes and handicap-adaptable bathrooms. On the first floor, off the grand staircase adorned lobby, a bistro, club room, dining rooms, recreational room and several outdoor patios and porches, some offering outdoor dining, will beckon residents to connect and engage. For those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, the secure Mind & Memory Care neighborhood will feature Benchmark’s signature programs administered by specially trained associates in a variety of spaces as well as amenities like a dedicated outdoor patio, dining room, hair salon and recreation room. Circadian rhythm lighting will automatically adjust throughout the day to help minimize “sundowning,” a common symptom of dementia, which causes a state of confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening.

On the second and third floors, residents will enjoy additional amenities, including a wellness center with fitness center and rehabilitation room, hair salon, library, lounge, movie theater and multipurpose room for events and other programs. A rooftop deck will host regular social hours and other events.

For those who need it, Benchmark will provide 24/7 personalized care, including assistance with daily living activities like bathing, getting dressed and medication management.

Benchmark in Scotch Plains is being developed in partnership with Newton, Mass.-based National Development. Capitol Seniors Housing of Washington, DC, whose work has been instrumental in bringing the project to life, will continue to provide some development services. Meyer Design of Ardmore, Penn., is providing architectural and interior design services for the project. Philadelphia based IMC Construction will serve as general contractor.

Benchmark in Scotch Plains is expected to open late, 2026 pending assisted living licensure.

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