The Academy at Mapleton Hill

Honoring a historic legacy while creating a modern community for wellness, care, and connection.

Situated on 16 acres at the base of Boulder’s Rocky Mountain foothills, this senior living community blends independent living, assisted living, and rehabilitative care within a thoughtfully designed campus that respects the site’s rich history while serving the needs of future generations. Once home to a sanitarium and later a community hospital, the property continues its long-standing tradition of supporting health and well-being through a modern residential environment focused on comfort, care, and community.

The 213,000-square-foot development provides a comprehensive continuum of care and an extensive array of amenities designed to enhance residents’ quality of life. Social and recreational offerings include a therapy pool, library, game rooms, salon, theater, communal dining venues, and a variety of gathering spaces that encourage interaction, wellness, and lifelong engagement.

A significant component of the project involved developing the infrastructure necessary to support both the current community and future growth. Saunders installed a comprehensive electrical and gas backbone system capable of serving the existing facility as well as planned residential cottages on the surrounding hillside. Additional infrastructure improvements included a complete waterline loop with backup fire protection, providing long-term reliability and safety across the campus.

The project also extended beyond the property boundaries through the development of 3rd Street, improving access and connectivity while supporting the continued growth of the surrounding neighborhood. Stormwater management was another critical component of the work. The team designed and installed infrastructure that helps protect neighboring historic homes from runoff while carefully managing the challenges associated with the site’s steep topography.

Construction required extensive planning due to the property’s location adjacent to the foothills. The steep terrain created logistical constraints and heightened environmental concerns, particularly around erosion control and preventing sediment from migrating downslope. Throughout construction, careful measures were implemented to protect both the natural environment and surrounding properties.

Preservation of the site’s historic character was equally important. Several existing structures on the property were designated as historic, and the project team implemented safeguards to ensure these buildings remained protected throughout construction activities.

The result is a thoughtfully integrated senior living community that combines modern care, extensive amenities, and resilient infrastructure while honoring the site’s historic legacy and preserving its unique foothills setting.

Image credits: The Mulhern Group