At 80 years old, developer Curtis Lund knows firsthand what it takes to live comfortably as a senior in the Flathead Valley.

That's part of the reason he created The Woodlands, a residential community for people 55 and older located behind the former Shopko building in Evergreen.

"The owners of The Woodlands community are dedicated to caring for the needs of one another so as to maintain an independent lifestyle," Lund wrote in a press release.

That approach has proven quite popular.

The second structure in the new complex, known as the Birch Building, was completed in May. So far, 70% of the units in The Woodlands have been claimed for the first two buildings that have been completed.

Each four-story building contains 36 units — 51 residential units are already spoken for, and another 21 remained for sale as of mid-July.

Two more buildings are planned for construction over the next three years.

Work on the third building is slated to start in spring 2022 and be completed in May 2023. The fourth building will follow suit, with construction starting in May 2023 and wrapping up in May 2024.

THE DEVELOPMENT is designed to strike a balance between comfort, security and community engagement.

The centerpiece of The Woodlands is The Commons, a connected meeting place for residents. There, residents can take advantage of an onsite theater, library, gathering room, multi-purpose room, coffee area and patios.

In addition to these shared amenities, each individual room comes with features of its own.

Although the buildings are four stories tall, only three stories consist of residential units.

The first floor is reserved for a heated, covered garage. Lund set aside space for the garage in order to allow residents to safely exit their vehicles without the worry of slipping on ice or confronting strangers from outside The Woodlands.

Residents own specific parking stalls and storage spaces in the garage. Above the garage, the buildings are locked 24/7. "Security is a priority at The Woodlands," Lund stated.

Since the residences are located at least 15 feet above the ground, residents on each level are able to enjoy views of the surrounding valley from their units—as well as additional security.

The vistas are enhanced by the sunroom that comes with each unit. Windows on three sides of each sunroom provide vantage points for residents to gaze out onto the not-too-distant mountains, as well as the natural features of the 11-acre development, like Spring Creek on the property's southern border.

The benefits of living at The Woodlands are manifold.

In Lund's view, the retirement community meets the needs of people 55 and over by giving them easy access to plenty of services while nonetheless allowing them to maintain autonomy and comfort in their own units.

"While the owners at The Woodlands are over 55, The Woodlands is definitely not an old folks' home," Lund stressed. "The Woodlands is independent living, freeing up owners to enjoy the beauty of the Flathead Valley."

He compared the area and its innumerable activity options to "living in a candy store."

But given the frenetic pace of local real estate sales, the chance to live in the candy store might not be around much longer.

After Lund hosted an open house on July 16, interest in The Woodlands could soon outpace the timeline for opening all 144 planned units.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.