The Watermark at the Pearl

The Watermark at the Pearl is a luxury senior living community set right in Portland's Pearl District, and folks will notice the modern design and thoughtful architecture when they walk up, with river views and a special green space right on the fourth floor that lets residents enjoy Portland's weather. The place has 140 independent living apartments, 77 assisted living residences, and 20 memory care suites, so you see people who want to live on their own, people who need a bit of daily help, and people living with memory issues like Alzheimer's all on the same campus, and this makes it easier when someone's health needs change, since they don't have to move far when they need more care. They call their memory care the Gardens, and there are twenty-six beds set aside for those residents, and there's a program called Prema Memory Support℠ that gives extra help to folks with dementia.

The Watermark at the Pearl says they want to build an inclusive community atmosphere for older adults and they do this in part by running different activities and programs-so they've got Watermark University classes for learning new things, cultural excursions to see more of Portland, and programs like BrainCafé℠ and Extraordinary Outings that help people stay engaged. There's also a strong push for wellness with a spa and salon right onsite, a fitness center for exercise, and outdoor spaces that are meant to help folks socialize and move around more.

For meals, residents get four dining experiences-with spots that offer food for different tastes-and they use the name Gourmet Bites Cuisine for one of their unique food programs. The apartments look sophisticated and were designed for seniors, with an eye for comfort and style, and you won't see a buy-in fee, meaning people don't have to put down a big sum just to move in. People can take short-term stays as well, which can help after hospital visits or when caregivers need a break.

The Watermark at the Pearl also seems to want residents to be involved with what's happening both inside and outside the community-they've got partnerships with groups like SAGE, host public events, and have things like the EngageVR® and Accushield systems for safety and engagement. There's a calendar for activities, classes, and programs called the Expressions Calendar, and a Lifestyle Magazine so people know what's going on. You'll find tools online for reviewing the place, taking 3D tours, reading testimonials, and learning more through their Senior Living Toolkit. They've made digital connections so families and friends can keep up easily.

All in all, the facility gives choices for Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Continuing Care Retirement, with programs and support shaped for each resident's needs, whether they want maintenance-free living, help with daily tasks, or specialized memory care. There are 109 total beds, with amenities and services set up so residents can focus on staying well, keeping social, and making the most of their time in a lively part of Portland.

The Watermark at the Pearl is managed by Watermark Retirement.

Watermark Retirement Communities is a premier senior living operator managing over 70 communities across 21 states with approximately 5,800 associates, ranked as the nation's 9th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Founded in 1985 by David Freshwater and David Barnes as The Fountains in Tucson, Arizona, the company pioneered wellness-based senior living in collaboration with the University of Arizona Center on Aging before rebranding as Watermark in 2006. Headquartered in Tucson, Watermark became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Keppel Corporation in March 2024, following Keppel's initial 50% acquisition in 2019, with Paul Boethel succeeding the founders as CEO while Freshwater continues as Chairman Emeritus.

The company's signature Watermark University is an award-winning intergenerational learning program where residents, associates, family members, and local experts—including museum curators, university professors, and world-renowned doctors—teach dozens of classes ranging from watercolor painting and ballroom dancing to language learning and sculpture workshops. Named among Fortune's Top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services™ by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Watermark provides comprehensive training through programs like GO (General Orientation) Ripples, Leadership by Design workshops, and specialized sales systems focused on understanding buyer motivations and customer service excellence.

Watermark's innovative Prema Memory Support℠ program features Naya caregivers—named after the Sanskrit word for "guide" or "person of wisdom"—who are Certified Dementia Practitioners trained through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. The Thrive Memory Care experience includes secure courtyards, multi-sensory environments with fresh flowers, music therapy, and sensory gardens. Their groundbreaking Thrive Dining (Gourmet Bites) program transforms nutritious meals into attractive, bite-sized portions that residents can enjoy independently without utensils. The Dementia Awareness Experience uses virtual simulations including impairment gloves and vision-loss glasses to help associates develop deeper empathy and understanding.

The company leads the industry in technology innovation with EngageVR, a virtual reality program using Oculus Quest headsets that enables residents to travel virtually to the pyramids of Egypt, swim with whales, or reconnect with veterans from their battalions in virtual living rooms. The 360Well wellness program integrates four key circles—mind, body, spirit, and community—to promote holistic health and independence. Through partnerships with the University of Arizona's Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute and Curana Health for value-based care delivery in Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania, Watermark continues advancing senior care research and innovation.

Following a "shrinking to grow" strategy under new leadership, Watermark focuses on operating premium communities while maintaining its founding philosophy that they are "a wellness company that happens to provide housing and services for seniors," committed to creating experiences where residents truly feel at home with purpose, possibility, and joy.