“Stunning” was the most frequent word heard as Beth Sholom Village and its friends in the Jewish community celebrated the official opening of Aviva Pembroke with development partner Pembroke Square Associates inside the seven-story structure off Constitution Drive in Virginia Beach.
“This is where dignity meets compassion,” said Allison Hechtkopf, executive director, who added that the facility is already “fostering meaningful connections” among the several dozen residents who have moved in since early December.
“Leasing is going extraordinarily well,” said David Abraham, president and CEO of Beth Sholom Village, which operates Aviva Pembroke and its 153 apartments – 121 for independent seniors and 32 for assisted living and memory care.
Aviva offers an impressive array of amenities, including a café, dog park, indoor pool and spa, gym, fire pits, pickleball court, covered parking, a salon, and well-appointed one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, the model furnished through the generosity of Grand Furniture.
The partnership with Pembroke Square was pivotal in making Aviva Pembroke a reality.
“We bought the 800 acres that became Pembroke Mall in the early 1960’s and broke ground in 1965,” said founder Fred Napolitano, Sr. “But over the years people started shopping online, and we knew we had to repurpose the property. Aviva Pembroke is our first new building.” An even larger for-rent apartment complex is coming along with new entertainment, shopping, and a hotel, joining Target and other stores that remain after the redevelopment.
“It took a team with a sterling track record to make this happen,” Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer told a packed room of attendees. Dyer noted that the demand for quality housing for seniors is growing. “By 2030, 25% of our population in Virginia Beach will be 65 and over.” Aviva Pembroke, thanks to Beth Sholom Village’s excellent reputation, is leading the way in meeting this demand with a lifestyle-focused approach, featuring gourmet dining experiences, engaging book clubs, wine clubs, and outings.
“I really love it here,” said Grant Narelle, one of the charter residents.
“It’s been a wonderful few months so far,” added resident Alice Buxbaum.
Several residents attended Aviva’s first once a month Sabbath morning service, organized by Danny Rubin and his family, that was held on January 18 in the spacious community room. Resident Madeline Rossitini played piano as Rubin and his sons, Niv and Shai, led prayers and aliyot over a Torah that will have a permanent home in a wooden ark being built at Aviva. Beth El and Temple Israel are supplying tallises. “I expect turnout to rise as more people in the community and here at Aviva learn about this brief (60-minute) but lively program,” says Rubin. The next Shabbat service is Saturday, February 15, and the public is invited.
For more information on leasing a unit at Aviva, visit www.avivapembroke.com or call 757-963-8423.
