The Danish Home of Chicago Breaks Ground on Building Expansion
October 10, 2023
NORWOOD PARK, IL — The Danish Home of Chicago President/CEO Scott L. Swanson and The Danish Home Foundation have announced via a press release the groundbreaking for a new addition to their senior living community in this Chicago suburb.
The groundbreaking was attended by over 100 donors, residents, and dignitaries, including Ambassador Stig Paolo Piras, the Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of Denmark in Washington D.C., and Consul General Jesper Koks Andersen from the Consulate General of Denmark in Chicago.
“This new addition means a tremendous amount to many, many people: our current residents, our many Danish supporters here and across the country, our neighbors, and those who will benefit from our new spaces once we open our new addition,” said Peter Orum, Capital Campaign and The Danish Home Foundation Chairman.
“Today we are not only laying the foundation for bricks and mortar,” Ambassador Piras commented, “we’re also strengthening the ties that have bound Denmark and Chicago for many decades.
“Denmark has long been at the forefront of elder care,” Piras continued. “Advocating for policies and practices that put the person first. No matter the age. Our philosophy has always been to give our elders the dignity, respect, and quality of life they obviously deserve. Let’s remember that we’re not just constructing a building. We’re creating a place where culture and care unite, where generations can connect, and where our elders can find a home away from home.”
The $13.5 million addition comprises five independent-living one-bedroom apartments and nine additional private healthcare suites. The dining room will be expanded and showcase gardens; the kitchen will be upgraded with modern appliances, additional preparation areas, and storage; a new bistro space will be created to encourage casual gathering and entertainment; new gardens and walking paths will be added for residents to enjoy the outdoors; and the community has also spruced up the living room, gathering room, and hallways.
“One of the outstanding features of the new addition is that we have configured the building in a way that independent living apartments and healthcare rooms can be converted into catered living apartments. This allows us to accommodate our residents as their needs change so they can stay in The Danish Home for the remainder of their lives,” Swanson shared.
This expansion is the fourth since the community was founded in 1891 by 12 Danish women who wanted to ensure that no one from the homeland who was living in the Chicago area would ever have to worry about growing old and being alone. The first expansion was in 1914, the second was in 1925, and the third was in 1963. This addition is made possible by the generosity of many groups and people who have donated over $8.7 million in cash, pledges, and an additional $3.3 million in bequests. Berglund Construction as General Contractor; HED, Architect and Structural Engineer; ECT, Civil Engineer; IMEG Corp, MEP/FP Engineer; Olson Landscape Architecture; Clevenger Associates, Food Service; and Old National Bank (financing) are contributing to the construction of the expansion.
Construction is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2025.