Groundbreaking: Friday, December 9, 9 am
For more than 42 years, Beth Sholom Village has been caring for seniors, creating a community that focuses on enhancing quality of life and providing support services tailored to address individual physical, social, and spiritual needs.
Much has changed since BSV opened its doors in 1980, but the tradition of caring has not. Guided by the Jewish values of care, culture, and community, the quest for creative ways to meet seniors’ needs has never wavered. BSV’s legacy is very much alive; building a vision for the future based on that legacy.
Today, Beth Sholom Village is at an important crossroads—a defining moment that will shape it as a regional leader in the development of more responsive and flexible programs for older adults in Tidewater for decades to come.
To ensure that BSV fulfills its promise to honor parents, grandparents, and future generations, it is seeking the interest, involvement, and support of all who care about the future of Tidewater’s Jewish community as it embarks on its newest venture.
Aviva Pembroke is deigned to be a state-of-the-art community with an impressive list of luxurious amenities at an ideal location in the heart of Virginia Beach. Created in partnership with Pembroke Square Associates, it will be a central part of the new vision for the reimagined Pembroke Mall, now known as Pembroke Square.
Pembroke Mall opened in Virginia Beach in 1966 as the first enclosed shopping mall in the area. The 600,000-square-foot facility located on 54 acres was once home to shopping giants Sears & Roebuck, Miller & Rhoads, Woolworth, Rices Nachmans, Stein Mart and Regal Cinemas. Kohl’s, Target, Latitude Climbing + Fitness, Nordstrom Rack, Fresh Market, and REI joined the mall throughout multiple redevelopments and after Sears closed in 2018.
In 2021, Pembroke Square Associates announced a $200 million redevelopment plan for the shopping center that will include quality shopping, chef-crafted dining destinations, luxury apartments, a hotel, and the senior living community, Aviva Pembroke.
Fred Napolitano, one of Pembroke Mall’s original owners, says, “Pembroke Square Associates is happy to join with Beth Sholom Village to develop a senior living community at Pembroke Square. Aviva Pembroke will be a great addition, joining Pembroke Square after 57 plus years of stewardship and community involvement.
“We decided to partner with Beth Sholom Village because they are local, familiar with the market, and have an excellent reputation of operating senior communities,” says Napolitano.
In keeping with the shared values of Pembroke Square Associates and Beth Sholom Village, Aviva Pembroke will be a senior living community open to people of all faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Both organizations believe in inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and the importance of giving back to the community. These common principles have set the stage for a great partnership.
Aviva Pembroke will feature high-end amenities, an affordable luxury lifestyle, and a variety of floor plans for residents. Apartments offered include a 1-bedroom, 1-bath; 1-bedroom, 1-bath with den; 2-bedroom, 2-bath; and a 3-bedroom, 2-bath. All apartments within the state-of-the-art senior living community will have an outside terrace, walk-in closets, and top-of-the-line appliances. There’s an option for all stages of aging at Aviva Pembroke with 121 independent living apartments, 20 assisted living apartments, and 12 memory support units. As of this publication, 35% of the available independent living apartments are spoken for, with future residents submitting their fully refundable $1,000 deposit.
The growing excitement within the community is encouraging and reinforces what Beth Sholom Village leadership already knew—it is building what people have been waiting for. There is a need and desire for an affordable luxury senior living community—as Virginia Beach has never seen an independent living resource like Aviva Pembroke.
David Abraham president, and CEO of Beth Sholom Village, says, “We knew we were onto something with a faith-based community that will have luxury apartments and amenities. However, the response to the project and the capital campaign have been just outstanding.”
Led by Jay Kossman and Lawrence Steingold, the Growing Our Future Capital Campaign for Aviva Pembroke launched in late 2021. Starting with a commitment from the Beth Sholom Village Foundation, additional funds have been raised from community supporters, making it possible for Beth Sholom Village to build on the success of the last four decades.
Beth Sholom Village and Pembroke Square Associates invite the community to the Aviva Pembroke Groundbreaking Ceremony at the future site of Aviva Pembroke (Constitution Drive and Jeanne Street).
Information about available apartments and the Groundbreaking Ceremony can be found at www.avivapembroke.com
Amy Weinstein is director of philanthropy at Beth Sholom Village.
–Amy Weinstein