Walking into Vintage Burbank feels more like boarding a luxury cruise ship, than retirement community.
The first floor foyer is bathed in light from the surrounding plate-glass windows, and the soothing mint walls and dark brown accents create a sense of elegance and tranquility. There is a main dinning room, private dining room, a parlor graced with a grand piano and lovely patio with a fireplace and fountain.
This is living!
And that, my friend, is the mantra of Vintage Burbank!
The facility celebrated its second anniversary Thursday night with an open house. Some 200 residents and guests listened to pianist Rich Smith and later Bill Chico and his Trio while dining on the buffet fit for a king –and queen.
Executive Director Ted Burgess welcomed everyone and gave nonresidents a history lesson on how far they’ve come since opening on March 1, 2010.
Jean Wilkinson, age 86, was the first resident followed a week later by Marion Hendricks, 89. Today, more than 60 seniors are living there in the different levels offered —assisted living, independent living and Recollections Neighborhood, where residents receive memory support services.
There is still room for 40 more residents, and Burgess promised them “if you live here, you won’t have to drive home next time there’s a party.”
Mayor Jess Talamantes toured the first floor and had one word for it “incredible!”
“On behalf of the City Council, congratulations on the success you’ve had and much continued success!” he said.
Speaking for Vintage residents was Council President Audrey Hanson, who served as a school board member in Burbank during the 1980s.
“I want to tell you that this is really a nice place,” she said. “The people who work here are warm and friendly.”
Wilkinson moved to Vintage Burbank after living in the same house on Naomi Street in Burbank for 60 years, said her son Scott Wilkinson.
“My sister and I are thrilled that she decided on her own accord to come here when the time was right,” he added.
Jean Wilkinson said she really enjoys the food and her favorite dish is the Talapia.
“There is also a great theater with comfortable seats,” she said.
Residents can watch a different movie on the big screen every day. Films range from current to classic including musicals, comedies and even foreign titles.
The theater feature was a plus for her son as well as he is a home theater journalist and regular guest on the weekend radio show “The Tech Guy with Leo Laporte” on KFI-FM (640).
“The theater was one of the first things I checked out,” Scott Wilkinson said. “I’m really impressed with the food and just the general ambiance is very high class — top notch through and through. And the staff is exceptional!”
