The Whitcomb Senior Living Tower stands as a historic part of St. Joseph, Michigan, sitting right downtown by the bend of the St. Joseph River with panoramic views above Lake Michigan, and while the building itself has a long story going back to 1831-starting as the Mansion House, then the ornate St. Charles Hotel, then the Hotel Whitcomb-today it serves as a senior living community where folks can choose from independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home services, all under one roof, and you'll find a variety of apartments ranging from small 180-square-foot studios to larger 980-square-foot apartments, each with a private bathroom and heating and cooling. The Whitcomb has a verified community status and includes all sorts of amenities like restaurant-style dining with three freshly prepared meals daily, à la carte care services tailored to individual needs, scheduled transportation to doctor's appointments, access to registered nurses, on-site pharmacy, and regular visits from doctors, plus things like hearing and blood pressure checks, podiatry, and eyeglass repairs. Residents get low-cost laundry options with both in-house and self-serve laundry rooms, and utilities such as cable and WiFi come included, which is handy. Housekeeping, daily trash removal, building maintenance, and 24-hour front desk support come standard, and the highly trained team gives personal assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing with a whirlpool tub, and medication management, plus emergency response is available round the clock so folks don't have to worry.
The tower has a four-star rating and is often called the "Crown Jewel of the Midwest" by those who know its history, and although it once boasted a sunken garden, grand dining rooms, and even a bathhouse piped with natural sulfur springs for health, today it offers craft and recreation rooms, planned exercise programs, a library, banking services, a chapel, a fitness center, a hair salon, a gift shop, plus big windows for watching the sunsets. There's always something scheduled, whether it's concerts, educational seminars, group outings, dancing, or cultural and social activities both on-site and out about the city, and people often enjoy walks to nearby shops, restaurants, parks, and beaches since the location makes that easy. The building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places, and its community rooms and event spaces are sometimes used to host weddings and community gatherings as well, keeping that welcoming spirit alive. Perimeter door systems help monitor who comes and goes, so families can feel safer knowing folks with memory care needs are looked after, and the culture at The Whitcomb is friendly and neighborly with staff described as helpful and kind. The people here work to promote connection and a sense of belonging, and the community focus means everyone gets the chance to stay active, be social, and enjoy a maintenance-free life, all while living in a landmark building right at the heart of a lively lakeside town.
