Wedgwood Senior Apartments, also known as Ensemble Apartments, sits at 6701 Blanco Road in San Antonio and is an eleven-story high-rise that started out back in 1965, and after a deadly fire in 2014, got a pretty thorough renovation in 2018, with the assessed value jumping up from $8 million to $14.5 million. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a "Y-shaped" layout, which is a bit different, and it's been a part of a larger effort to create safer, more affordable living options for seniors, especially those in the middle-income range, with support from local officials like the Castle Hills Mayor and Fire Chief. Residents are age 55 and up, and the place is now managed by Purple Door, LLC, with a plan in the works to shift some units to affordable housing and possibly score a long property tax break, which would help budgets for things like schools and city services.
Residents can choose from spacious apartments that work well for independent living, and all units include modern safety features like updated stairways, elevators, doorways, and-after the remodel-all 301 apartments got sprinklers in every room, from bedrooms to closets, plus a fire command center to help first responders. The community is pet-friendly, allowing cats and dogs, and there's a good amount of parking with accessible spaces and wheelchair ramps. For getting around, residents have transportation options for errands, outings, or medical appointments, so if someone doesn't drive anymore, they're covered.
Inside, the community feels lively and welcoming, with helpful, polite, and accommodating staff, and it offers different levels of care-you've got Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and support for active adults who need help with things like bathing, dressing, or taking medicine, and there are licensed nurses available around the clock. Folks who want to stay busy can take part in social events and activities onsite and offsite, join devotional services, enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces, or spend time at the renovated pool, pond, or courtyard. There's a gym, a library, and a health and wellness center, and a café where residents get a free breakfast. For people who like a little pampering, there are beauty and barber services too.
Apartments have accessible bathrooms, wheelchair-accessible showers, and bath tubs, and the common areas are set up for people who use walkers or wheelchairs. Wi-Fi and high-speed internet are available. Around the building, the environment aims to help residents feel independent and safe as they age, and with the city's push to make it more affordable, it'll serve a wider range of seniors, including those on limited incomes. The property still funds local public services through taxes and has been at the center of some community talks about tax status and support for affordable senior housing. The Wedgwood complex, now Ensemble Apartments, tries to balance safety, independence, and an active lifestyle for residents 55 and older.
