104
APRIL 15, 2024
A Year of Community and Culture: Coterie Hudson Yards Celebrates Its First Anniversary
Share on Social Media
In January 2023, Coterie Hudson Yards welcomed its first residents and created a new standard for luxury senior living in New York City.
Since then, the 126-unit space has grown into a thriving community of residents from a diverse range of backgrounds.
“We really empower our residents to be able to experience the excitement of living in a cultural hub like New York,” says Coterie Hudson Yards General Manager and Senior Vice President Joanna Mansfield. “We have an incredibly cultured community – teachers, artists, filmmakers, physicians, engineers – and everyone’s here because they love the excitement of living in the greatest city in the world.”
Here’s a look back at some highlights from Coterie Hudson Yards’ extraordinary first year.
Cultural Outings
There’s always something new and fascinating to experience in New York City. Coterie provides residents with chauffeured care service anywhere in the city and also organizes group excursions to events and exhibitions.
Coterie’s partnership with 92NY gives residents access to one of the world’s premier cultural institutions, with a diverse array of guest speakers, panels, workshops, and other exciting events. In May, residents attended a screening of the Tony-nominated musical Mr. Saturday Night, hosted by Billy Crystal and Bette Midler. In October, residents were treated to a live appearance and meet-and-greet with Nancy Pelosi.
Residents didn’t have to go far to experience the “A Walk in the Art” event at Hudson Yards’ Avant Gallery, a sensational mixture of two NYC traditions: modern art and street food.
The Japan Society invited residents to a preview performance of John Cage’s unfinished, avant-garde Noh-Opera project, as well as a visit to their Yoko Ono exhibit.
In December, residents enjoyed a visit to the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show®.
Live Performances
The community’s “Broadway Through the Decades” series brought elite musical performances to Lena’s Lounge by some of musical theater’s biggest names, including Broadway stars like Jelani Remy (The Lion King and Ain’t Too Proud), Brennyn Lark (Les Misérables)’ Kara Lindsay (Wicked and Newsies), and Kevin Massey (Tarzan and Wicked).
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, residents enjoyed live traditional Mexican dances, such as Jarabe Tapatío, set to live mariachi music.
And to round out the year, Coterie resident Lynn H. treated the community to a preview of her off-Broadway cabaret show, “There’s Still a Little Starch Left.”
Resident Life
At Coterie Hudson Yards, staff and residents work together to create a vibrant social atmosphere that truly feels like home. The new relationships formed at Coterie serve as the bedrock for a community of genuine connection, engagement, and support.
A resident’s request to have a place to grow plants led – just a few months later – to a full urban garden flourishing out on the terrace, producing tomatoes, basil, rosemary, oregano, and strawberries that Executive Chef Chad Welch incorporated into community meals.
Residents meet regularly for group dinners, book clubs, Scrabble games, watercolor classes, and other community activities.
Museum Expeditions
Coterie’s location makes it easy for residents to visit the dozens of museums in NYC, with private group tours for residents also arranged.
In its first year, Coterie residents’ museum excursions included the “Edward Hopper’s New York” exhibit at the Whitney Museum, the “Monet to Morisot” exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, and a Georgia O’Keefe retrospective at the MoMA.
Residents also enjoyed a tour of the “I’ll Have What She’s Having” Jewish Deli exhibit at the New-York Historical Society.
Community Engagement
Coterie residents take pride in giving back to the local community through outreach programs.
A growing partnership with The Bowery Mission, one of New York’s largest non-profits, creates opportunities for residents to make philanthropic contributions that help the city’s less privileged populations flourish.
Every week, Coterie’s Sweet Readers program invites primary school, middle school, and high school students from around the city for reading and tutoring sessions with residents.
Holidays at Coterie
Coterie celebrated the fall and winter holiday seasons with a wide array of festivities.
Halloween inspired an impromptu performance of “Monster Mash” by Resident Engagement Specialist Megan Sherlock and other staff members.
Executive Chef Chad Welch prepared a special Thanksgiving feast for residents, with friends-and-family seatings available all afternoon and into the evening.
On December 7, residents observed the start of the Hanukkah season with the traditional lighting of the menorah.
At the Christmas tree decorating party, residents made their own origami ornaments to hang on the Coterie tree.
Continuing the Journey
As Coterie Hudson Yards enters its second year, Mansfield plans to expand on the exuberantly successful community that her residents and staff have created.
“Our ongoing mission is to ensure that New Yorkers and urban dwellers can continue to enjoy the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to, even though they’re starting to require assistance,” says Mansfield.
“Or as I look at it: Just because people need assistance doesn’t mean they stop living.”