IST2023: From the desert to the big city lights

The final leg of the One Fell Swoop IST2023 embarked on a remarkable journey through the captivating landscapes of the American Southwest, offering a unique perspective on senior living communities. The adventure began with a desert road trip from Phoenix to LA, providing delegates with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring desert scenery.

One of the standout stops along the way was the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, a cable car that ascended a staggering 6,000 feet to the mountains above, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The tour continued in the architectural mecca of Palm Springs, where participants had the privilege of staying at the renowned Parker Hotel. This iconic destination was the perfect base for exploring some of the most famous homes of the modern architectural movement, reminiscent of Slim Aarons’ timeless photography.

A fascinating fact about Palm Springs is its arid climate, with only four inches of rainfall annually. This climate has influenced the architecture, resulting in the prevalence of slim-lined, flat-roofed homes without gutters and downpipes. One of the highlights of our Modern Architectural Tour was a visit to the Alan Learner home, of Learner & Lowe fame, the duo behind many beloved musical scores. The home offered astonishing views across a pristine pool and garden to the majestic mountain range beyond.

Delegates indulged in a gourmet dinner at Workshop Kitchen + Bar, an architectural marvel housed in a former theatre, adorned with striking concrete vertical accents.

The next day we visited Bella Villagio, a senior living community offering flexible independent and assisted living apartments. Notably, residents can seamlessly transition to higher levels of support or care if needed within their existing apartment. A special treat awaited delegates, with the chance to meet Australian tennis legend Fred Stolle AO, a resident of Bella Villagio who boasts an impressive career both on and off the court.

A change of pace brought IST2023 delegates to the Mizell Centre, a community not-for-profit outreach program that has been providing meals and services to the local senior population since 1974. The tour continued with a visit to the Living Out Palm Springs community, catering to the 55+ LGBTQ population in the area and offering 122 independent living apartments within a stunning resort style setting. It is estimated that a minimum of one third of Palm Springs residents identify as LGBTQ.

A scenic bus ride led us to the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, one of the world’s top 50 hotels. Delegates enjoyed a rooftop dinner with quintessential California vibes. The following day our IST journey concluded with visits to The Watermark at Westwood Village, a high-rise luxury seniors’ community in the heart of LA’s Westside, and The Variel, a senior living community with impressive amenities, including a state-of-the-art wellbeing facility. As the tour wrapped up, delegates savoured a farewell lunch at Moodshadows in Malibu, featuring stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

The IST2023 tour was an exceptional experience, thanks to host communities, outstanding hotels, world-class dining and of course, the 20 passionate and committed people who joined us. Lifelong friendships were forged, and invaluable insights were gained – this was one of our best Study Tours yet – and it was all orchestrated by by the dedicated efforts of One Fell Swoop’s Sales Director, Rob Macpherson.

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