Property Spotlight: Montview Manor
More than a place to live… a family
by Cheryl Sions & Desiree Parrot-Alcorn
Archway’s Montview Manor is a community made up of mostly retired professionals from various walks of life. In this community, women outnumber men two to one, and the average age of our residents is 75.
The Manor, as residents refer to their home, was built in 1963. This high-rise building project was spearheaded by Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church (and the newly-formed Montview Building Corporation), designed to meet the physical, social, and psychological needs of seniors in the congregation who were living alone and burdened by maintaining their homes after their children departed. The building opened early in 1965 and has since been the home for hundreds of older adults, many of whom have called Montview Manor home for decades.
In late 2020, Montview Building Corporation made the decision to sell the property, looking for a new owner who would both secure and enhance the future of Montview Manor as an affordable home for older adults while simultaneously respecting and honoring the interests and needs of its current residents. After a long search, on December 14, 2022, Archway Communities, Inc. was pleased to close on the purchase of Montview Manor. Archway has long been aware that rising housing costs and threats of homelessness have been a growing issue for the older adult community and is committed to maintaining the affordability of Montview Manor in perpetuity. From the beginning, Archway has been excited to bring its blend of service-enriched affordable housing to the residents at the Manor.
The Manor continues to be a much sought-after residence for older adults because of its unique sense of community as well as its proximity to City Park, the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the restaurants and other amenities nearby on Colfax Ave. Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments are available, all with balconies. Amenities include a remarkable top floor common area with a rooftop deck featuring 360 degree views of Denver and the foothills. Residents enjoy a wide range of activities including concerts, lectures, fitness classes, movie nights, and potluck dinners.
“Montview Manor is more than an apartment building; it is a community and in ways, our family,” stated resident Katherine Hussey, a member of the Manor’s library team and a former board member. “Montview residents quietly look after the community – the building, the activities, and each other.” In fact, residents play a significant role in making the community what it is. Residents have opportunities to volunteer for something, whether it is hosting the Elegant Clutter (swap shop), coffee times, organizing sing-a-long sessions, contributing to or producing a newsletter, planning a program or a potluck, or hosting the weekly meditation or monthly book club and movie nights.
Dennis Connel moved to Montview Manor 14 years ago. Within six months of moving into the Manor he became treasurer of the resident council and has since served in various leadership positions. Whether cooking, decorating or organizing, Dennis has been instrumental in the success of numerous events. “I would much rather organize an event than go to one,” commented Dennis.
Mollie Rael, a resident who has lived at the Manor for nearly 33 years, is a lovely, kindhearted soul who loves conversation and knows that it is key in establishing relationships and building community. In 1994, Mollie created the game called Conversation which allows players to ask questions and receive answers from all players. Conversation game nights at the Manor have been instrumental in further developing the sense of community that Archway Montview Manor boasts of.
Dozens of other residents play a part in the success of our community. A Montview gardener, Joanne Bader is a retired Physicians Assistant who also enjoys sewing and spending time with her family when they come for a visit. Jeff Jeremias, a history buff and newer Manor resident, hosts monthly classic movie nights and helps to organize history lectures for the community. Also a gardener, Johanna Weszely shared stories of coming to the United States as an immigrant. She remembers the hard times her family faced both when leaving their home country and when arriving in the United States. She is happy to have a home at the Manor where life is calm and good times are many.
What a gift it is to have this older adult community filled with so many unique and special individuals who call Montview Manor home.
