Renovation project nears completion at Friendship Manor

Colleen DeMay toured apartment D202 in the Friendship Manor Continuing Care Retirement Community in Rock Island on Thursday, May 29. The East Moline woman looked over the space available in the two-bedroom apartment, the kitchen, bedrooms and the washer and dryer units that come with the unit. She liked what she saw. “It’s very, very […]

Colleen DeMay toured apartment D202 in the Friendship Manor Continuing Care Retirement Community in Rock Island on Thursday, May 29. The East Moline woman looked over the space available in the two-bedroom apartment, the kitchen, bedrooms and the washer and dryer units that come with the unit. She liked what she saw. “It’s very, very nice here. I like all of this. They really did a nice job putting this apartment together,” the area woman said. Ms. DeMay was one of hundreds to tour apartments and other parts of the renovated independent living community portion of Friendship Manor, called The Terraces at Friendship Manor. The renovations are part of an ongoing $12.5 million renovation and rebranding campaign that is part of the “Re-Establishing Friendship” project, which began in 2023. The campus-wide initiative includes aesthetic and infrastructure upgrades and a new therapy and fitness center.

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During an open house and tours on Thursday, visitors got to see The Terraces. That part of the manor features 88 renovated apartments, expanded and upgraded dining at Bistro 1209 and the new Sapphire Dining Room, and new activity spaces that includes Lounge ‘42. “This transformation brings modern amenities to a trusted, faith-based community where residents continue to thrive. We’re thrilled to share this new chapter with our neighbors at the sneak peek open house,” said  Ted Pappas, Friendship Manor president and CEO, said in a news release before Thursday’s events. During the celebration, Mr. Pappas was busy answering many questions and showing visitors around The Terraces. One of the most popular parts of the renovated space was the new outdoor patio located near Lounge ‘42. It featured a firepit, live music and a cook grilling up tacos and other treats for guests during open house events.

Patio, lounge popular

More than 30 people visited the patio and Lounge ‘42 in the opening minutes of the open house on Thursday. “Friendship Manor is really an oyster. We’re going to have pearls for family and friends to enjoy for years to come,” said Mr. Pappas. Many guests were interested in finding those pearls in the apartments at The Terraces. Two on the second floor were open to the public. Apartment D202 is an unfurnished two-bedroom unit that attracted a crowd. Others visited apartment D207, a one-bedroom unit furnished for the open house celebration. Emily Thompson, a sales counselor for Friendship Manor, was in D207 showing visitors the amenities. Some included a washer and dryer in the apartment, housekeeping services, and room for a lot of furniture and other items. “I hope people will see this as really comfortable living. … And they see they can make a home for themselves here,” Ms. Thompson said during the open house. That event will not be the last celebration at Friendship Manor. Mr. Pappas said a bigger grand re-opening celebration is in the works for mid September when all of the projects in the $12.5 million renovation campaign are complete.  Currently, about 75% of the renovation work is done. The rest of the work is scheduled to be done by the end of August, he added. Friendship Manor’s current campus was founded by the Illinois Branch of the Kings Daughters and Sons in 1979, an international Christian group founded in 1886 whose members have established hospitals, homes for the elderly and child care centers throughout the country. In a news release, Friendship Manor said it is the only continuing care retirement community in the Illinois Quad Cities, offering all levels of care for seniors from independent through skilled nursing.