WALTHAM and NEWTON, Mass. — Benchmark Senior Living and National Development have acquired The Village at White River Junction, an assisted living and memory care community in White River Junction, Vermont, through a joint venture, the companies announced.
Benchmark will operate the community, which is located near the New Hampshire border and a short drive from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H.
The acquisition adds the 80-apartment property to Benchmark’s growing regional portfolio, marking the company’s 70th senior living community in the Northeast and its ninth in Northern New England. Financing for the transaction was provided by M&T Bank. For National Development, the deal represents its first senior living investment in Vermont.
Benchmark currently operates six senior living communities in New Hampshire and The Arbors at Shelburne in Shelburne, Vermont. The Village at White River Junction expands the company’s presence in the Upper Valley region.
Located within walking distance of the Connecticut River, Main Street, and the area’s historic district, The Village at White River Junction spans 87,000 square feet across five floors. The community offers convenient access to places of worship, shops, restaurants, museums, and a performing arts center, with additional dining and recreational options available just across the river in West Lebanon, N.H.
“The Village at White River Junction is a very special community, and we feel honored to work together with its experienced associates to usher in this new chapter,” said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark Senior Living.
Benchmark operates a portfolio of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
National Development brings more than three decades of senior housing experience to the joint venture. The firm has developed and invested in more than 33 senior living communities over the past 30 years, with properties spanning the Boston-to-New York corridor. Its senior housing portfolio includes independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities, and its developments have earned seven national awards for senior housing design.
“Our expansion into Vermont represents an exciting next step in National Development’s long-term commitment to senior housing across Northern New England,” said Andrew Gallinaro, the firm’s chief investment officer. “The Village at White River Junction is a remarkable community, and we are proud to continue our strong partnership with Benchmark in bringing high-quality living options to this region.”
The Village at White River Junction is known for its strong focus on arts and culture, offering frequent exhibitions, performances, and classes in dedicated spaces that include a live performance venue, art gallery, art studio, and movie theater. Amenities also include multiple dining venues, community kitchens, a salon and spa, fitness center, conservatory, library, and expansive common areas. Outdoor features include a rooftop terrace with views of the surrounding hills, as well as several patios, some with raised garden beds.
Residents have access to 24/7 personalized daily living support and nursing care, along with chef-prepared, restaurant-style meals, housekeeping, and laundry services. The community includes 50 assisted living apartments, available in one- and two-bedroom layouts with kitchenettes and full-sized refrigerators, and 30 memory care studios with private bathrooms.
The property’s architecture has earned multiple awards for its innovative design. Using traditional Vermont materials such as brick, wood, and steel, the building blends into the surrounding wooded hillside while reflecting the area’s industrial heritage. Large windows throughout the community provide abundant natural light and scenic views, enhancing residents’ daily living experience.
