Nascentia Health begins work to convert the Beeches complex in Rome into senior housing

ROME, N.Y. —Nascentia Health has started renovation work on the Beeches facility in Rome, which will become the Nascentia Neighborhood at The Beeches.

The Syracuse–based organization purchased the 52-acre property at 7900 Turin Road in Rome back in April. On Wednesday night, it hosted a gathering of nearly 150 local dignitaries and community members to begin its plans for restoring and expanding the property.

Nascentia Health is a home and community-based health-care system with operations in 48 upstate New York counties.

In her remarks, Kate Rolf, president and CEO of Nascentia Health, discussed how the project would benefit the whole community.

“We are so proud to be here at The Beeches again, talking about our vision for its future,” Rolf said. “The new Nascentia Neighborhood at The Beeches will have independent and supportive housing options that allow aging adults to remain independent in beautiful, safe homes that connect them to medical professionals and social services, all right here on campus. We’ve seen such incredible support and enthusiasm from the Rome community and can’t wait to get started on this exciting project.”

The Hayner Hoyt Corporation and Schopfer Architects, both of Syracuse, will handle the renovation and design work, respectively, Courtney Armbruster, marketing director at Nascentia Health, tells CNYBJ in an email. Nascentia Health is still working on the budget for the project and hasn’t determined a final project cost, she adds.

Dr. Joel and Mrs. Holly Amidon and Dr. Jeff Amidon and Elena Green co-hosted the Wednesday evening event. Dr Joel Amidon, Nascentia Health’s chief medical officer, commented that “The opportunity to have a planned community where older adults can access all of their housing, health, social, and other services is a huge step forward in meeting the needs of older adults in Oneida County.”

The Beeches property was owned by the Destito family for more than 70 years and brothers Orrie and Frank attended the gathering to acknowledge the transition.

The event included Rolf’s announcement that the updated commercial kitchen will be named “The Destito Kitchen” to honor the family’s long history of hospitality and food service. Outside of the Beeches, the family’s Savoy Restaurant has been open in Rome since 1908 and is a “community institution.”

About the project

Nascentia Neighborhood at The Beeches is a multi-phase project that is beginning this year with renovations to the event and conference center. The organization hopes to host events again in 2023.

Crews will also restore the 1917 stone mansion house, which is attached to the events center.

In the next phases, the Inn at the Beeches will be converted into age-restricted apartments for those age 62 and over. The work will also include the addition of duplex units and the construction of independent cottage-style homes on the property to “create a mix of housing types.” The existing business park will continue operating with its tenants throughout the project.

Founded in 1890, Nascentia Health offers home-based care options across Central New York, including skilled nursing and therapies and home health aides. The company also offers two health-insurance plans in New York — a Medicare Advantage Plan in eight counties and a managed long-term care plan in 48 counties, per its news release.