CA senior living leads with clean energy

Oppidan, Harrison Street, and Watermark Retirement Communities engaged Wunder to deploy an on-site solar system at Hacienda San Luis Rey, a new 212-unit luxury senior living community located in Oceanside, CA.

The 419 kilowatt solar system delivers substantial energy bill savings, tangible progress against aggressive ESG goals, and clean energy for Hacienda San Luis Rey’s new residents. The system came online October of 2024 and is expected to generate 659,720 kWh of power in its first year of operation alone - offsetting more than 1 million pounds of CO2 emissions.

The project leverages available roof and parking lot space without impinging on the property’s mission architecture or sprawling 35 acre campus, which includes multiple fine dining venues, piano bar, theater, spa and wellness center, fitness facilities, heated outdoor pool, pickleball courts, dog park, and the Watermark University Educational Center. Wunder hosted educational seminars for residents to ensure they were included throughout the process, including a community-wide ribbon cutting ceremony.

Dave Riess, CEO of Wunder, said, “It's wonderful when so many partners who share the same values can come together and collaborate on a project like this. This project exemplifies the power of sustainable energy solutions in driving economic and environmental progress. We’re grateful to Harrison Street, Oppidan, and Watermark for their vision and support, which has been instrumental. Together, we are setting a new standard for responsible and impactful development.”

About Harrison Street

Harrison Street is one of the leading investment management firms exclusively focused on alternative real assets. Since inception in 2005, the firm has created a series of differentiated investment solutions focused on demographic-driven, needs-based assets. The firm has invested across senior housing, student housing, healthcare delivery, life sciences, and storage real estate as well as social and utility infrastructure. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Toronto, and Washington DC, the firm has more than 240 employees and approximately $55 billion in assets under management. Harrison Street has had a formal sustainability initiative since 2013, which largely impacts how business decisions are made today.

About Oppidan

Oppidan Investment Company is a national property development company with headquarters in Minnesota and offices in California and North Carolina. With more than 566 projects across 41 states and parts of Canada, Oppidan has successfully developed 26.4 million square feet valued at more than $4.9 billion. The wide range of services offered by Oppidan’s team includes asset management, construction management, property management, and capital markets, with a focus on the Retail, Housing, and Corporate Build To Suit sectors.

About Watermark Retirement Communities

A privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages more than 65 retirement communities in 21 states coast to coast. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is ranked as the nation's 10th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors.