DES MOINES, IA The Weitz Company has completed the main structure of The Woodlands at John Knox Village, a new, 111,426 square-foot, 7-story nursing home in Pompano Beach, Florida, created on an entirely new concept in elder care. The construction milestone was celebrated by residents and staff of John Knox Village at a topping-off ceremony - complete with the traditional placing of a tree on top of the structure.

"This building represents the start of a new era in South Florida senior living," said Michael Hass, Weitz Director of Senior Living. "The Woodlands will be the first licensed nursing facility in the state of Florida built on the Green House model of care, which is an alternative to traditional, institutional skilled-nursing environments."

At The Woodlands Green House, 12 elders will share 1 of 12 self-contained homes. Meals and care will be provided by caregivers dedicated to each home rather than by rotating shifts of specialists. Because Green House offers an environment that feels like an elder's previous residence, homes have private rooms and bathrooms with a shared living room, open kitchen and fireplace. A large emphasis is placed on making the health care infrastructure invisible and treating elders with supreme dignity.

"John Knox Village is wisely embracing the new trend of person-centered elder care, which simulates the experience of living in one's own home," said Hass. "The South Florida market is clamoring for this because elders desire the sense of community in each home and families love the residential environment."

This is Weitz's third building project at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach. In 1980, the company completed a 78-bed health center and an independent living building consisting of 3, 10-story towers. Senior living is a key market for Weitz; in the past 50 years, the company has built more than $3 billion in senior living projects around the country.

The Woodlands at John Knox Village is expected to be completed in 2016. The architect is RDG Planning & Design.