Life at Coterie Cathedral Hill: A Resident’s POV

Would she eat at the casual bistro or opt for the more formal restaurant down the hall? Does she feel like ordering the acai bowl with seasonal fruits or the chef’s breakfast special? And should she take her newspaper along to read or join a table of neighbors for a chat?

Fortunately, decisions come easily to Jeannine. She steps off the elevator on the 3rd floor and makes her way to the buzzy Seven x Seven Grille where she joins a group of other residents at one of the larger tables.

While Jeannine is a relatively recent arrival to the 13-story luxury high-rise at 1001 Van Ness, she is certainly no stranger to the neighborhood. Jeannine spent two decades as an on-camera reporter for NBC affiliate KRON4 News, which had been headquartered on the very same city block for nearly 50 years. The studios were demolished to make way for the new Coterie Cathedral Hill building, which was completed in 2022.

“I absolutely loved my job. Every day I got to go out and interview people. I never knew where I’d be next – it was so fun.”

Now retired and a permanent resident of Coterie Cathedral Hill, Jeannine possesses the same cheerful enthusiasm for her post-career life.

Endless experiences for the culturally curious

Following breakfast, Jeannine’s first order of business is to check the daily calendar of events.

Each day at Coterie offers a variety of curated programming, from fitness classes and film screenings to live entertainment and group excursions. “I like to see what activities are available and then take advantage of the ones I want to do,” says Jeannine.

Presentations are incredibly popular with the residents, and Coterie partners with The Fromm Institute to stream programming on a variety of topics. “Yesterday, I watched part of a scientist’s lecture on artificial intelligence, which was very interesting,” Jeannine says.

Expert-led events are also well attended. Film critic Mick LaSalle of The San Francisco Chronicle makes regular visits to Coterie’s movie theater to talk about classic and contemporary cinema. Current events expert Jim O’Dea moderates a local and world news discussion, while San Francisco Ballet instructor Cecilia Beam leads residents in a weekly dance class specially designed to help them build strength and balance.

Jeannine is also very fond of the frequent outings the community organizes. Residents routinely take city walks, attend live theater shows and concerts, visit museums, tour wineries and gardens, and go shopping.

“It's like being a kid in school, going on the field trips,” she smiles.

Living at the center of it all

Indeed, the community’s location itself is ultimately what drew Jeannine to Coterie. Previously, she’d been living in a senior community 70 miles north of San Francisco but was finding herself missing city life more and more.

“I’d lived and worked here for so long, and I still have friends here. But living in Healdsburg, it wasn’t easy to meet up with them to see a show or go out to eat. I don’t drive, so I’d have to take an Uber, and it would cost hundreds of dollars to visit or see my doctor here in town. So being close to my friends and healthcare providers again is great.”

Resident Engagement Specialist Karen Frakes notes that like Jeannine, many Coterie residents enjoy taking advantage of all the city has to offer.

“They always seem to be going somewhere. You run into them in the elevator, and they say, ‘Oh, I’m going to the opera now,’ or ‘I’m going to the ballet.’ Even when it’s raining, they say, ‘Well, I don’t mind. I’m still going.’ Their energy is inspiring.”

Where gracious living meets great company

Jeannine confirms that her neighbors are an energetic crew, and wholeheartedly embrace fun too.

“Last night, a big group of us got together to watch the 49ers play. They were down 17 points at halftime, so whenever they scored, the whole room cheered.

A woman was sitting next to me, and I said to her, ‘Okay. Let’s get up.’ So, we stand up and I yell, ‘Where are we going?’ She yells back, ‘To the Super Bowl!’ And soon we have everyone else in the room cheering, ‘Where are we going? To the Super Bowl!’” Jeannine chuckles.

“I mean, it was a little thing. But… it was a big thing. I think when people our age come together, we’re much happier.”

Finding your Coterie

With her gregarious nature, Jeannine finds it easy to extol the virtues of community living.

“Last night at dinner, I met a woman who was thinking about moving to Coterie but was feeling reluctant. She’d lost her husband and was still living alone, doing everything herself. And the fact is, living alone in San Francisco is difficult at any age. She wanted to know how I meet new people. I said, ‘You know, a good way is to go to the restaurant. There's always somebody with an empty chair near them. Or you might meet somebody in the movie theater if you sit down next to them.’”

Jeannine recognizes that some senior communities are residential buildings where older people live together. And then there are places like Coterie, which deeply embody the spirit of belonging.

“There are people here that you can talk to, and they're smart, interesting people. And you can ask them questions about their background, what they did for a living, or what makes them happy. They make very nice company. And that’s the great thing about Coterie.”

Coterie operates a portfolio of luxury senior living communities spanning the East and West Coasts. Please note that the services, partnerships, and amenities mentioned in this article may vary by location.