CLAREWOOD HOUSE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Since 1963
7400 Clarewood Drive Houston, Texas 77036
Phone: 713-774-5821
HISTORY OF CLAREWOOD HOUSE
1962
A group of prominent Houston business and professional men announced the formation of the Sharpstown Tower Corporation, a non-profit organization for the construction and operation of Clarewood House. Most of the first Board of Directors were members of First United Methodist Church, Houston.
1964
The
purpose of this corporation was to provide pleasant, comfortable
apartments for lease at reasonable rates to qualified, responsible persons
62 years of age and older. The architectural plans were drawn by Hugh E.
Gragg, A.l.A., of Houston, and the construction firm of Spaw-Glass, Inc. was
the general contractor for the project. The facility opened during 1964
with 288 apartments that included efficiency, studio and one and two
bedroom units. Clarewood House was located near Sharpstown Center because
of its convenient location to the expanding residential, medical,
educational and shopping area in the southwest section of Houston. The
facility included landscaped grounds, ample covered parking for residents,
spacious dining room, recreation and lounge areas, beauty shop, laundry,
and a 24-bed nursing center. This newly opened state-of-the-art one story
addition was beautiful and unique, with a home-like atmosphere.
The $4.7 million dollar financing for the non-profit corporation was arranged with the aid of private contributors and through a loan insured under Section 231 of the National Housing Act. Mr. Frank Sharp gave the land and a substantial gift toward the new project.
1965-1966
Clarewood House was soon filled to capacity, with a waiting list. Bruce Sledge, vice president and general manager, had an extensive educational and professional background in hospital administration. He served Clarewood House well, until his untimely death in 1980 while attending the annual meeting of the American Association of Homes for the Aging.
1981
Mr. Lynn Eads, a graduate of the Center for Studies in Aging at the University of North Texas at Denton, was named vice-president and general manager of Clarewood House in 1981. Under his leadership, the dining room was redecorated and Clarewood House was the recipient of a one million dollar grant from Houston, Endowment, Inc., for the construction of 50-60 apartments on campus.
1986
Janice Jones, also a graduate of the Center for Studies in Aging, was named vice-president and general manager of Clarewood House. The program was expanded and plans were make for a major renovation to the public areas. The construction of the apartments was put “on hold.”
1988
A large covered patio was enclosed to provide a much larger and needed
auditorium, library and garden room area. The dining room was relocated
and enlarged, and a beautiful park area was developed and fenced to the
right of the main entry. A new kitchen was constructed, the boilers
reconditioned, new chillers constructed with additional capacity for
future additions and the elevators were reconditioned with new control
panels added.
1991
Fred H. Kight was named vice-president and general manager of Clarewood House in July of 1991. He has attended the Center for the Studies in Aging at the University of North Texas. An ordained United Methodist Minister and licensed nursing home administrator, Mr. Kight is under special appointment by the Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
1993-96
Renovation was completed on the third floor in July, 1993, to provide additional Assisted Living apartments. During 1995, the $3.2 million dollar Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Extended Care Center at Clarewood House (nursing center) was opened. In September, 1996, eleven additional Assisted Living apartments were opened on the second floor of the Tower Building.
1998
The Living Room was completely redecorated. A new service called Preferred Living was offered to Independent Living residents who do not yet need full-time Assisted Living. Help is given for one or two activities-of-daily-living, Monday through Friday during the day. This allows more residents to remain independent longer. Residents choose one meal a day in the main dining room.
2001
Patrick Pheifer is named as Executive Director of Clarewood House in September of 2001. A licensed nursing home administrator and graduate of the University of North Texas Center for Studies in Aging, Mr. Pheifer has extensive experience in the operation of nonprofit retirement community operations.
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