Coral Gables, FL (January 10, 2023) – Watermark Retirement Communities has appointed Rene Sanz, Jr., a senior living industry veteran, as executive director at The Watermark at Coral Gables, a new luxury senior living community set to open in February 2023. Sanz brings years of experience in both hospitality and senior living to lead The Watermark at Coral Gables through its opening and beyond.
“We are honored to have Rene at the helm of one of our newest South Florida communities, The Watermark at Coral Gables,” said David Barnes, CEO of Watermark Retirement Communities. “He brings an all-heart approach in his work, responsibilities and goals, and I am confident that Rene and his team will create an extraordinary experience rooted in arts, culture and wellbeing for our new members.”
Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Sanz migrated with his family to New York City when he was 19 years old and then moved to Miami Beach a few years later. There, he got his start in hospitality working as a hotel porter.
After six years working in hotels, he made the transition to senior living as community liaison for an assisted living community in Miami. This change sparked a newfound passion for senior living. He soon became executive director at a new assisted living community in Miami-Dade County, then joined Brookdale Senior Living as an executive director. In 2006, he became director of operations with Senior Living Management, managing communities in Georgia, Philadelphia and Florida, then returned to community life as executive director with Five Star Senior Living in 2015 before joining Watermark Retirement Communities in his newest role.
“With its rooftop pool, exquisite tilework and multiple restaurants, The Watermark at Coral Gables will set a new bar for luxury senior living in South Florida,” said Sanz. “I am grateful to lead such a talented team and am excited to welcome our members to enjoy our warm, inviting and engaging community.”
The Watermark at Coral Gables will open in February 2023 as part of Watermark’s prestigious Élan collection of senior living communities with a luxury wellness resort mindset. The 198-residence community will be located mere steps away from the Shops at Merrick Park and minutes from the Riviera Golf Course and Miracle Mile and will feature a design reminiscent of Coral Gables’ historic homes with modern amenities and touches.
Potential members and their families can contact the community at 786-688-6010.
About Watermark Retirement Communities®
Watermark creates extraordinary communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. 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. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute and published on Fortune.com. 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 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. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.
About Watermark’s Élan Collection
The Élan Collection creates an elevated benchmark in senior living and care, blending ageless style with grand-scale amenities, engaging opportunities, integrative wellness and a spirited lifestyle. The collection focuses on providing luxury senior living in localities rich in cultural, intellectual, and engaging entertainment opportunities, which complement the offerings available to the active senior within the communities themselves. Elan Collection communities include: The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights in Brooklyn; The Watermark at Westwood Village in Los Angeles; The Watermark at Napa Valley in Napa, California; The Hacienda at the River and The Hacienda at the Canyon in Tucson, Arizona; The Hacienda at Georgetown, Texas; The Watermark at Houston Heights, Texas; The Watermark at Coral Gables and The Watermark at West Palm Beach, Florida.
