Lancaster, PA – Momentum and optimism filled the Performing Arts Theater at Willow Valley Communities’ Cultural Center as hundreds of residents, Mosaic depositors, and team members gathered for a standing-room-only Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 30.
Hosted by Lisa Hawthorne, President & CEO of Willow Valley Communities, the event delivered major updates on Mosaic, the visionary 20-story residential tower for active adults 55 and over that will soon rise in the heart of downtown Lancaster at South Queen and West Vine Streets. The session provided clarity, reassurance, and excitement as the project progresses from vision to reality.
The 2-hour program drew more than 500 in-person attendees, with hundreds more participating via livestream. Jill E. Gilbert, CPA, Chair of the Willow Valley Communities Board, opened the meeting and shared the Board’s enthusiasm about Mosaic, calling it another example of Willow Valley Communities’ “bold, prudent, and responsible growth.”
Major Announcements Signal Progress and Confidence
During her presentation, Ms. Hawthorne announced the Mosaic construction timeline:
- Building permit application submitted: October 2025
- Anticipated foundation construction work: Spring 2026
- Projected resident move-ins: Early 2029
Amenities include a full-service day spa, state-of-the-art wellness center, indoor pool and jacuzzi, group fitness and cycling studios, bike storage and repair, steam and sauna rooms, a wine cellar and tasting room with temperature- and humidity-controlled storage, rooftop gardens, dog park and grooming station, library, theater/screening room, game/billiards lounge, and a private-event suite. The building will also feature a 240-seat ballroom for private/community events, with outside reservations available, space permitting. Reserved parking for Mosaic residents will be at the existing Steinman Garage, which will be accessible by a secure, covered walkway.
Local Leaders Praise Mosaic’s Economic and Civic Impact
Local elected officials and business leaders applauded Mosaic as a model for private investment and a catalyst for downtown revitalization.
Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace said, “For the City of Lancaster, Mosaic by Willow Valley Communities will help attract residents, support our small businesses, and add vibrancy to the community. Mosaic checks all those boxes.”
Marshall Snively, President of the Lancaster City Alliance, has said that Mosaic represents the culmination of years of coordinated economic planning. “Mosaic is a stunning addition to Lancaster’s architectural landscape and a powerful example of how thoughtful development strengthens the local economy.”
A Perfect Fit for Lancaster’s Distinctive Lifestyle
Ms. Hawthorne emphasized that Mosaic aligns seamlessly with Lancaster’s growing reputation as a vibrant destination for adults seeking a rich, active lifestyle where history, culture, and community intersect.
“Lancaster is a place where heritage and innovation coexist,” she said. “Mosaic is created by Willow Valley Communities to add to Lancaster. Mosaic is a further example of our bold, prudent, and responsible growth to continue to offer the very best for the 55-plus living experience.”
Enthusiasm Across the Willow Valley Communities Family
Applause and excitement filled the room as residents, depositors, and team members celebrated Mosaic’s next phase.
- “If you are not moving forward, you’re going backwards. One of the reasons we moved to Willow Valley Communities was its forward-thinking approach to senior living. Mosaic proves we made the right decision.” – Ray Loewe, 83, Willow Valley Communities resident, originally from South Jersey.
- “We’ve been with the Mosaic project since the very beginning, and we’re so glad we locked in at the pre-construction rate! The Town Hall showed us that Mosaic will be everything we thought and more. We’re so happy we beat the rush and can’t wait for our new home to be built!” – Tim and Steph Schreyer, ages 59 and 57, respectively. Mosaic depositors from New Holland, PA
- “You can feel the optimism in the air. Mosaic is more than a building; it’s a new chapter for all of us, and it makes me proud to be a Willow Valley Communities Team Member.” – Brittney Hemperly, Willow Valley Communities’ Assistant Manager of Service Amenities.
A Celebration of Vision and Community
Following the Town Hall, Mosaic depositors gathered at the Willow Valley Communities Welcome Center for a celebratory reception. Guests re-visited the on-site Mosaic model apartment and compared floor plans. Future residents connected with neighbors and friends, reflecting the spirit of community that remains at the heart of Willow Valley’s mission.
“It’s here, at the intersection of South Queen and West Vine Streets, that Mosaic will bring Willow Valley’s signature hospitality to the heart of Lancaster,” said Ms. Hawthorne at the celebration. “We look forward to welcoming our first residents and watching this extraordinary vision take shape.”
